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In news that came as a shock to some fans, Caitlin Clark was named the WNBA‘s Rookie of the Month for the first month of the season.
And that isn’t sitting well with a number of fans.
Clark’s first 11 games in the WNBA have been as polarizing as perhaps any athlete in any sport (sans Jackie Robinson, of course).
Caitlin Clark’s Rookie Campaign Has Been A Mix Of Both Great And Awful
Her counting stats show a superstar who has stepped right in and continued the dominance she displayed in college. Clark is averaging 17.6 points, 6.6. assist and 5.1 rebounds per game. Remarkable numbers for anybody, even more so a rookie.
But the efficiency numbers tell a different story.
Out of all qualified players in the WNBA, Clark ranks 39th out of 41 players in field goal percentage and 30th out of 34t in 3-point percentage.
She also averages a league-high 5.4 turnovers per game. The next-closest player is Connecticut Sun superstar Alyssa Thomas at 4.1.
Although Clark’s efficiency rating of 15.2 ranks 27th in the league, which is in the middle of the pack of the 60 players qualified in the category.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever have the second-worst record in the league at 2-9 and Clark’s usage rate of 25.8 ranks eighth in the league among players who have appeared in five or more games.
So it’s safe to say her debut month in the WNBA has certainly be a mix bags.
And the reactions to her Rookie of the Month award reflected that.
Some fans were all about it.
To me, the dumbest thing about the Clark conversation is the inability for some to see that she’s started off her career in the WNBA in remarkable fashion. Very few rookies have ever put these numbers up, but the expectation game has made it seem like she’s struggling majorly. https://t.co/fKJbiJ0cH5
— claybraham lincoln (@ClayLaSoul) June 4, 2024
she’s so good it’s not even funny https://t.co/w80cLqIzos
— momo (@chipotlefien22) June 3, 2024
But not everyone felt that she deserved the award.
While shooting 35% from the field, under 30% from 3, and leading the league in turnovers
— Theodore Wlasniewski (@TWlasniewski) June 4, 2024
Angel Reese helped the sky beat the NY Liberty twice in May
— WOO (@justwoo247) June 3, 2024
Clark’s first 13 games have been a mixed bag. To say the least. But the talent is clear, and if the efficiency ever matches it the WNBA is going to have a problem on its hands.