Career-Highs Down the Stretch

WNBA rookie round-up, 8/20– 9/9

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The achievements of the rookie class this season have been nothing short of remarkable, and their performances have been incredibly entertaining to watch. Although their growth and development have been evident throughout, several players have notably elevated their games in the past month. Below, we highlight a few rookies who’ve reached new heights in recent weeks and evaluate how their enhanced play could impact their teams’ success as they approach the postseason.

Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky

Starting the season sidelined with a shoulder injury, it took a little more time for the 6-foot-7 center to get acclimated to the league. But since Cardoso has been healthy, she’s been a regular starter and a key contributor to her team, and even more so in recent weeks. Coming off the Olympic break, Cardoso has scored in double digits in nine of the Sky’s last 11 games, including a then-career-high 18 points against the Connecticut Sun and then surpassing it only four games later with 22 points against the Minnesota Lynx. During that same five-game stretch, Cardoso also recorded a career-high six assists against the Washington Mystics and a career-high five blocks when they played the Las Vegas Aces, which she then tied a few days ago in their 92-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks.

With the Sky currently sitting only a game ahead of the Atlanta Dream for eighth place in the standings, Cardoso’s improved play will be crucial over the next few games as the team competes for the final playoff spot. But now that she’s established herself as an unforgiving presence in the lane and nearly perfected her ability to seal off defenders to get a quick bucket, Cardoso will undoubtedly increase her team’s chances of extending its season.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Lately, it seems Clark is rewriting the record books almost every time she steps on the court, so it’s almost hard to believe she is still topping her own career-highs this late in the season. But along with becoming the second player in WNBA history to record 600+ points and 300+ assists in a single season and the first rookie to be named WNBA Player of the Month (since the award’s inception in 2010), the All-Star point guard recently put up a career-high 31 points in the Fever’s 100-81 victory over the Chicago Sky, connecting on 8-of-14 from the field and 5-of-9 from three. Coupled with her 12 assists for the night, it was her 11th double-double of the season. She’s since racked up three more, including her second triple-double, and now has the most double-doubles by a guard in a single season and is only the fifth player to have multiple triple-doubles in a WNBA season.

Currently averaging better than a 15-5-5 — a feat only three other players in league history have done — there’s no question Clark will play a huge role in determining how far the Fever go in the postseason. Setting up her teammates, knocking down crucial shots, and drawing immense defensive attention, Clark is still able to catch teams off-guard at times, especially in transition. And pairing the pace she pushes with the increased chemistry she’s built with her teammates, there isn’t an opponent out there looking forward to matching up with her team in the first round. Winning eight of their last 10 games, the Fever have not only clinched a spot in the playoffs, but they are quickly becoming a team that could pull off a Cinderella story.

Leonie Fiebich, New York Liberty

After earning an expanded role when teammate Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was sidelined with an injury, the 6-foot-4 versatile wing has more than proven the value she adds with increased minutes. With her court awareness and quickness, Fiebich has become known for her savvy cuts and always seems to be in the right place at the right time, freeing herself up for easy buckets inside or open looks from the perimeter. Averaging 9.1 points over the past seven games, she put up a career-high 16 points in the Liberty’s 79-71 victory over the Dallas Wings. Her stellar performance that night also included four made threes, which tied her career-high. Now sitting with 48 made triples on the season, she ranks third among rookies in made threes and first in 3-point shooting percentage (42.5%).

Along with her recent surge in offensive production, Fiebich is frequently being tasked with some of the most challenging defensive assignments, and she’s been effectively leveraging her length and speed to disrupt opponents. Her impressive two-way impact has not only placed her firmly in the All-Rookie Team and 6th POY conversations, but it’s also made her an increasingly important factor in the Liberty’s success as they look to contend for their first WNBA championship.

Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks

Averaging the third-most points (12.8 per game) in this talented rookie class, the 6-foot-2 wing has stepped it up even more in recent weeks. Since the Olympic break, Jackson has scored in double-digits in every game but one, including her recent standout performance against the Dallas Wings where she finished with career highs in points (25), assists (4) and blocks (3). Now tallying over 400 points on the season, with an effective field-goal percentage of 50.5%, Jackson has made it clear she has a gift of putting the ball in the hoop from almost anywhere on the court.

Jackson’s defensive play, rebounding, and playmaking have also notably improved as the season has progressed, and her increased confidence has allowed her to become more comfortable in attacking the basket and looking for her shot. Although the Sparks are officially out of the running for playoff contention, Jackson’s athleticism, versatility, and work ethic will continue to help her team for many years to come.

Angel Reese, Chicago Sky

Although Reese has recently been ruled out for the season after suffering from a wrist injury, in the past few weeks, the 6-foot-3 forward not only moved into first place for the single-season rebounding record (446) and notched the single-season double-double record for a rookie (26), but she also became the first player in WNBA history to record 20+ rebounds in three consecutive games, including a career-high of 22 rebounds against the Las Vegas Aces. At this point, there are almost no words left to describe Reese’s rebounding prowess. Her 13.1 rebounds per game are the most in league history, an average buoyed by her 16.0 rebounds per game since the Olympic break. Pairing her rebounding stats with the 13.6 points she averaged per game, she ended her season averaging a double-double — an accomplishment only two other rookies have achieved (Yolanda Griffith and Cheryl Ford).

With the Sky still in a precarious position for playoff contention, their performance over the next few games will be critical, and there’s no question Reese’s tenacity on the boards, endless motor, and ability to defend some of the best front court players in the league will be missed. But we fully expect her to return next season better than ever and continue to cement her legacy in the WNBA.

Jacy Sheldon, Dallas Wings

The 5-foot-10 guard may be more well-known for her elite defensive abilities, but the increased minutes she’s earned over the course of the season have helped her become a skilled playmaker for the Wings, especially in recent weeks. Over the Wings’ past nine games, Sheldon has averaged 3.8 assists per game, including a then-career-high seven assists against the New York Liberty and then bettering it only two games later by dishing out eight assists in their 113-110 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.

Although Dallas has recently slipped out of playoff contention, with Sheldon’s speed, high basketball IQ, and willingness to take on the most challenging defensive assignments in the backcourt, she should continue to be an important asset to this team and their future success.

With just a handful of games remaining in the regular season, there is no doubt this rookie class has exceeded almost everyone’s expectations, brought a tremendous spotlight to the league, and have been extremely fun to watch. And although these career-highs and numerous other accolades they’ve earned are incredible, chances are it’s just the beginning for most of these players, and they’ll be making a lot more history over their long and illustrious careers.

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Thanks for reading the Her Hoop Stats Newsletter. If you like our work, be sure to check out our stats site, our podcast, and our social media accounts on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.