ESPN Releases Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Rankings During Their Second Season

The Players Ranked Ahead of Reese

• Caitlin Clark (No. 1): Clark’s sophomore season has been defined by injuries: a left quad sprain, left groin strain and most recently a right groin injury that has sidelined her since July 15. In her 13 appearances, she has averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals. However, her impact (when healthy) remains a major draw for fans and a driver of league-wide attendance.
• Paige Bueckers (No. 2): The Dallas Wings rookie is averaging 19.0 points, 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 31 games. She set the WNBA rookie single-game scoring record with 44 points on 81% shooting against Los Angeles on August 20. Bueckers’ efficiency (46.6% FG) and ability to create offense at all three levels have made her the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.
• Aliyah Boston (No. 3): The 2023 No. 1 pick has been a stabilizing force for Indiana in Clark’s absence, averaging 15.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 54.6% shooting. She has 15 double-doubles this season and remains one of the league’s most efficient interior scorers.
• Dominique Malonga (No. 4): At 19, the Seattle Storm rookie center is averaging 7.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.5 blocks in 13.8 minutes per game. In August, however, these numbers have improved to 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.1 blocks in 21.9 minutes across 12 games, fueling her rapid rise in perceived upside.

Reese’s 2025 Season in Comparison

Reese has anchored Chicago’s frontcourt in her sophomore campaign, averaging 14.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals over 27 games.

She leads the WNBA in rebounding by a wide margin, ahead of A’ja Wilson (10.1) and Alyssa Thomas (9.0) and has recorded 20 double-doubles this season, tied with Thomas for the most in the league, despite playing five fewer games.

On August 25, she secured her 46th career double-double, breaking Tina Charles’ record for the most in a player’s first two seasons. That performance (10 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block) came against the Las Vegas Aces.

Reese’s consistency extends beyond the glass. She has improved her efficiency from her rookie year, shooting 45.8% from the field (compared to 39.1% in 2024) and has expanded her playmaking, tied with Breanna Stewart for third in assists among all forwards.

For Reese, whose game is built on physical dominance, rebounding and interior scoring, the perception may be that her ceiling is more defined compared to perimeter-oriented stars like Clark and Bueckers.

Nevertheless, she remains one of the most consistent (and marketable) young stars in the league, all at just 23 years old.