ESPN surprises with announcement of its 2024 WNBA awards picks with twist on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese debate

The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark has been destined to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award with only the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese standing in her way, but ESPN could snub both of them by selecting another Fever star as their player.  Conversations of who has been the best rookie of the 2024 season has been dominated by the two 22-year-olds as they continued their explosive rivalry from the NCAA and into professional basketball with the Fever and Sky.

Yet with Reese injured and her season over, whilst Clark heads into the MVP talk, it seems as though eyes are turning away from them with ESPN landing theirs firmly on another Fever star in Aliyah Boston.   Boston has not had the same kind of praise as Reese throughout the season but she has been impressive too, recording averages of 14.1 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game as a forward.

The 22-year-old, who played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA, has shot for 20+ points on seven occasions and recorded a total of 11 double-doubles in her debut season, earning her some plaudits.  However, despite her successes as the Fever qualified for the WNBA playoffs on September 22, it seems as though Clark still has the edge over Boston and Reese, winning out the ESPN writers’ poll.

Clark has posted average stats of 19.5 points per game, 8.4 assists per game and 5.7 rebounds per game but has been in splendid form since the WNBA All-Star game, with her shooting average climbing to 24.5 points.  Two of Clark’s most memorable performances have been against the Dallas Wings and the Chicago Sky, when she shot for 35 and 31 points respectively, being the key part of the Fever’s upturn in form.

Who do the Fever play next?

Now qualified for the WNBA playoffs, which will begin on September 22, it’s about keeping a winning feeling and positive mentality for the Fever, Clark and Boston following a slip in form that’s saw them lose three of their last five.  They have a great chance to sign off the regular season with a victory against the Washington Mystics on Thursday, September 19, with tip off at the Capital One Arena expected at 19:00 ET/16:00 PT.