Ex-NBA All-Star on why he picks Angel Reese over Caitlin Clark for Rookie of the Year

Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah talks about his playing career at 'NBA Night' in the Emirates Suite at the U.S. Open on Sept. 4, 2024.

Breaking landmark WNBA records in each of her last four games and leading the Indiana Fever to its first playoff berth in eight years hasn’t closed the WNBA Rookie of the Year debate for everyone. 

Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah told Fox News Digital he would vote for Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese over Clark for Rookie of the Year if he had a say, during an interview at NBA Night at the Emirates Suite at the U.S. Open on Wednesday. 

"I would say Angel Reese," Noah said. 

Noah’s reasoning for Reese is not rooted in any statistical argument, however. The 6-foot-11 Noah likes the fact that the 6-foot-3 Reese plays more similarly to him than the 6-foot-0 Clark plays. 

"When I look at her play, she reminds me a lot of myself," Noah said. 

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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) looks to pass the ball against the Las Vegas Aces during the first half at Wintrust Arena.  (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)

Reese’s three-inch size advantage hasn’t put her in a better tier than Clark in almost all statistical output this year. Clark has the better averages in terms of points, assists, steals, blocks and every shooting percentage. 

But Reese does have a drastic advantage in terms of rebounds. With 13.2 rebounds per game, Reese is more than doubling Clark’s current 5.8 per game. 

In head-to-head matchups this year, the Fever have beaten the Sky three out of four times. In two of those matchups, Reese put up more points than Clark while putting up more rebounds than Clark in all four meetings. Clark put up more assists in all four meetings. 

Reese’s