As we approach the end of the WNBA regular season, rookie players are making an impressive impact.

With only seven or eight games remaining for each team, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. The regular season concludes on September 19, followed by the playoffs beginning September 22. However, uncertainty still looms, as shown last week when Dallas and Los Angeles defeated strong teams like Minnesota and New York. The competition is fierce, and veteran players will continue to remind rookies of the challenges ahead.

In short, an exciting final few weeks are on the way!

Some standout rookies from the 2024 season, like Rickea Jackson from the Los Angeles Sparks, might not play more than the full 40-game regular season since their teams are mostly out of the playoff race. In contrast, the top two rookie talents, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, are set to make playoff appearances. This is why they claim the top spots in the latest YSL News Sports WNBA Rookie Power Rankings. Here are the details:

1. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Stats through 33 games: 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.4 steals

Overview: Clark has been exceptional since the season resumed post-Olympics, averaging 24.6 points and 9.0 assists in the last seven games. It appears that the break positively influenced her performance, a trend often seen with rookies.

Moreover, the Fever’s teamwork has improved, boasting a 6-1 record and currently sitting in sixth place. Their 100-81 victory against Reese’s Chicago Sky on August 30 solidified Clark’s position as the leading candidate for the 2024 Rookie of the Year award. She not only leads the league in assists but has also set rookie records for three-pointers made and assists.

2. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky

Stats through 32 games: 13.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals

Overview: Known as the standout surprise of the rookie class in 2024, Reese has excelled this season, especially in rebounding, where she has set the WNBA single-season record. Notably, these accomplishments are for all players, not just rookies.

While it’s true that a significant portion of her rebounds are collected from her own misses—approximately one-third—Reese is aware of her need to improve on offense. Despite challenges like the lack of a steadying veteran guard on the Sky, her relentless work on the boards has been instrumental in Chicago’s playoff pursuit. Currently, her performance places her behind Clark in the Rookie of the Year race.

3. Leonie Fiebich, New York Liberty

Stats through 33 games: 6.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Overview: Fiebich’s experience with the German national team this summer has clearly boosted her confidence. Don’t underestimate her statistics. At 24, she has become a vital contributor off the bench for the championship-contending Liberty, particularly since the Olympic break. A 2020 draft selection—22nd overall by Los Angeles—Fiebich has finally made her mark this season, regularly playing crucial roles in closing games and will be key to their playoff success.

4. Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky

Stats through 26 games: 9.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists

Overview: With her health restored, Cardoso is starting to show her potential as a dominant player in the league. Similar to Reese, she also needs to refine her offensive game—often getting blocked under the basket, a challenge she can overcome with experience. Cardoso moves well for her size and is on a positive trajectory. Her impressive performances have sometimes gone unnoticed due to the Sky’s inconsistency, which is not a reflection of her ability.

5. Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks

Stats through 32 games: 12.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists

Overview: Anyone who follows women’s basketball anticipated that Jackson, a prolific scorer in college, would make an impact in the WNBA. However, her quick adaptation to professional play has been remarkable. An example of her talent is her 25-point performance against Dallas on August 25, followed by 19 points against the Liberty three days later. Once fellow rookie Cameron Brink gets back from injury, the duo could form a powerful combination. The outlook for LA is promising.

6. Jacy Sheldon, Dallas Wings

Stats through 32 games: 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists

Overview: After spending some time on the bench early in the season, Sheldon has carved out a significant role with the Wings, showing she can be an essential part of their future plans. She’s an intelligent defender, thrives in fast-paced plays, and is improving her shooting accuracy as well as her ability to create opportunities for her teammates. Despite experiencing a tough season with injuries, recent games indicate that the Wings are ready to prove they’re better than their record suggests.

Can Sheldon assist them in making a playoff run?

7. Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics

Current Stats (after 29 games): 7.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Analysis: Edwards has been a starter for the Mystics in the last two games, highlighting her growth and reliability as the WNBA season enters its final stretch. She gained valuable experience during the Olympic break with the Canadian national team, where she trained against some of the best players globally, despite Canada not performing well in the Paris Games. Edwards simply requires more playing time, which is likely in the upcoming weeks as Washington aims for a playoff spot. She is poised for a long and successful career in professional basketball.

8. Celeste Taylor, Phoenix Mercury

Current Stats (after 14 games): 2.0 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists

Analysis: Taylor has had quite the journey. Drafted 15th overall by the Indiana Fever this spring, she was let go in late June, only to be signed on a seven-day deal with the Phoenix Mercury on July 12. Shortly after, she had a brief stint with the Connecticut Sun before returning to the Mercury. In Phoenix, she’s earned accolades from veterans Diana Taurasi and Natasha Cloud, highlighting her potential despite a challenging rookie season. We commend her resilience and commitment to making her mark in the league.