"They both deserve ROTY award": 2xWNBA champion calls for Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to share prestigious honor

Hall of Famer and two-time WNBA champion Lisa Leslie acknowledged the significant impact rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have had on women's basketball.

Following their standout performances on Sunday for their respective teams, the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, Leslie showered the two first-year players with praise.

Clark and Reese are locked in a heated battle for the Rookie of the Year award, a debate that has dominated headlines in women's basketball for months.

Weighing in on the discussion, Leslie commended both rookies for their transformative influence on the sport, noting that they have both far exceeded expectations.

She even suggested that Clark and Reese should share the Rookie of the Year award, recognizing their extraordinary contributions.

"I don’t care what comparisons you make both @Reese10Angel and @CaitlinClark22 deserve the Rookie of the Year Award!," Leslie said in a tweet on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"The pressure and the weight of this season has forever changed the @WNBA and both rookies rose to the top and exceeded all our expectations! Take a bow ladies," she added.

Leslie's tweet came after Clark had scored 28 points and dished out 12 assists to help the Fever register a confidence-boosting 100-93 road win against the Dallas Wings.

Meanwhile, Reese recorded another double-double, scoring 17 points and collecting 19 rebounds in the Sky's 79-74 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.

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Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese: ROTY Race

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have broken numerous records and scripted several milestones in their first year in professional basketball.

On Sunday, Clark overhauled Tamika Catchings' record for most points in a season by a rookie in franchise history. Meanwhile, Reese obliterated Sylvia Fowles' WNBA record for most rebounds in a season.

Taking about the two players' season numbers, Fever rookie Clark leads the league in assists, while the Sky's first-year player Reese leads all players in rebounds.

Former Iowa superstar Clark averages 18.7 points on 42.4% shooting from the field, including 34.1% from the 3-point range. She also averages 5.6 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.4 steals.

Caitlin Clark has a great chance of completing a colossal milestone, one that has never been achieved in the WNBA or NBA. The Fever rookie could become the first player to lead the league in assists and 3-pointers. The 22-year-old leads the league in both categories.

The ex-LSU superstar averages 13.3 points on 38.5% shooting from the floor, including 16.7% from beyond the arc. Reese is also averaging 13.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.