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It often takes time for rookies to get acclimated to the increased pace and physicality of the professional game, learn their new teams’ systems, and carve out a role they can excel at. This week we highlight a few more first-year players who’ve settled in, found their rhythm, and made especially meaningful contributions in recent games.
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
After sitting out the first few weeks of the regular season with a shoulder injury, Cardoso was finally given the green light to begin her rookie season on June 1. Although she was initially limited by a minutes restriction, the South Carolina grad still averaged 6.8 points and 5.3 boards across her first four matchups, including a 13-point, five-rebound performance in her first career start against the Atlanta Dream. In the three games that followed, the chemistry she was building with her teammates became increasingly evident. Cardoso and fellow rookie teammate Angel Reese repeatedly demonstrated they can be a lethal high-low combo, and her pick-and-roll actions with, and post feeds from, the Sky guards improved with each outing.
With seven games now under her belt, it’s clear that just having the 6-foot-7 center in the lane impacts how the game is played. Cardoso’s length, anticipation, and timing not only alter opponents’ shot selection, but they also provide a tremendous advantage in cleaning up missed shots for easy put-backs. The former Gamecock is also almost always running the floor and puts the work in early, so nearly every entry pass that makes it into her hands leads to an easy bucket. On top of that, her decision-making and passing acumen allow her to quickly counter any double-team. Now averaging 8.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, Cardoso has shown that her giant target, strength, and persistence will make her a formidable inside threat for many years to come.
Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics
The UConn grad entered the WNBA widely viewed as one of the rookies who was “pro-ready” due to her solid frame, tremendous athleticism, and experience with the Canadian national team. The 6-foot-3 forward’s consistent production through her first eight games not only proved she could regularly be relied upon, but that she was capable of competing against some of the most experienced post players in the league. By the Mystics’ ninth game against Connecticut — where Edwards earned her third career start — her increasing confidence was on full display as she put up a career-high 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Sun’s elite frontcourt. Edwards continued to make notable contributions over the next five games, averaging 14.2 points and 9.4 rebounds and racking up two double-doubles, the first of which she set new career highs with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
The former Huskie routinely keeps her opponents on their toes by getting out in transition, making savvy cuts, and deploying crafty moves underneath the basket. At the other end of the floor, her active hands and quickness coupled with her length allow her to defend multiple positions, and she never misses a box-out. Among this year’s rookies, Edwards currently ranks second in rebounds, second in blocks, and third in player efficiency rating. Although her team has only garnered two wins, every game has been an opportunity for Edwards to improve by going against the best of the best and learning from her veteran teammates.
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
After coming off the bench for the first five games of her professional career, Jackson earned a chance to join the Sparks starting lineup while teammate Layshia Clarendon was sidelined with a concussion. Averaging 10.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across that three-game stretch, Jackson’s versatility, competitive edge, and knack for putting the ball in the hoop kept her in the starting lineup even after Clarendon’s return.
In subsequent games, the Tennessee grad continued to showcase her ability to score from nearly anywhere on the floor, even in clutch moments and against the toughest defenders. And with the additional playing time and experience, Jackson has ratcheted up her assertiveness — more frequently hunting her shot, capitalizing on mismatches, and ramping up her intensity on the glass. In the Sparks’ recent game against the Minnesota Lynx, the former Lady Vol notched her first double-double and set new career highs in both points (19) and rebounds (10), while also chipping in three assists and one steal. Ranking third among rookies in points (10.3 ppg) with a 51.3 effective field-goal percentage, Jackson should not only continue to play important minutes for the Sparks, but she’ll also likely be a key piece in taking the team to the next level.
Kate Martin, Las Vegas Aces
As the No. 18 overall pick by the back-to-back defending champs in this year’s draft, public expectations were relatively low for Martin. But when Las Vegas announced the 6-foot guard had cemented a spot on its final roster, it was clear Martin had impressed — and earned the trust from — her coaches and teammates. When the former Hawkeye got minutes in the Aces’ second regular season game against the Los Angeles Sparks, everyone started to see why. After making numerous hustle plays, locking in on her defensive assignments, and finding her open teammates, the former Hawkeye finished her WNBA debut with five rebounds, three assists, three points, and one monster block against a 6-foot-7 opponent. In the six games that followed, Martin continued to produce on both ends. So when teammate Jackie Young was out due to illness, it only made sense to insert Martin into the starting lineup. And of course, she made the most of it, putting up a career-high 13 points, shooting 5-for-7 from the floor, along with four rebounds and three assists.
Now averaging 4.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, Martin is touted for her high basketball IQ and is known for always being in the right spot at the right time and doing the little things. She also has a great work ethic and humility that make her a perfect complement to a team loaded with All-Stars. And with a coach who believes in her and a team of talented vets who have taken her under their wing and filled her with confidence, Kate “Money” Martin will no doubt continue to thrive and make an impact every time she is on the floor.
From their first game until now, these — and many other — WNBA newcomers have repeatedly shown how talented and deep their draft class is. If they continue to consistently produce at the levels they have already demonstrated they can, it will be an extremely tight race to make this season’s All-Rookie team.
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Rickea Jackson is an excellent offensive player, but for one detail: She has 10 assists in 335 minutes. Or to put it another way, she takes 11 shots for every time she sets up a teammate. Her 25 turnovers isn't bad, but a 10/25 A/TO is pretty bad for a wing.
Also, her defensive fundamentals are awful. It's like she was taught nothing about man and ball or general defensive principles in her entire career. She'll get better, if she wants to, but right now Jackson scores and rebounds, but is otherwise well below average. Of course, scoring and rebounding are really, really important, and the rest can be improved on, so it's not as if she's not a good player.
But given those two huge deficiencies, it's hard for me to give her more than a B-.