of WNBA announced its All-Rookie team earlier this month, and it served as a reminder of how deep and talented the 2024 rookie class is.
The following players were selected as All-Rookies:
- Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
- Rikea Jackson (Los Angeles Sparks)
- Leonie Fievich (New York Liberty)
- Angel Reese (Chicago Sky)
- Camila Cardoso (Chicago Sky)
That list doesn't include Cameron Brink, the No. 2 draft pick of the Los Angeles Sparks who had a great defensive season before tearing his ACL. Also not included are other promising rookies who would have been named second-team All-Rookie had they existed, such as Aliyah Edwards (Washington Mystics) and Jaycee Sheldon (Dallas Wings).
Still, the all-rookie team will likely be competitive enough to secure a playoff spot. But how far can that starting lineup go?
Let's start at the top.
Caitlin Clark has been one of the best guards in the league this season, and with her at the helm, I'm already feeling pretty encouraged about this component's chances offensively. Clark averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 assists per game, especially after finding his rhythm after the Olympic break. Kelsey Mitchell was a big part of what Clark was able to accomplish this season, but Clark likely has other strong offensive options to work with on this roster.
And then there's Leonie Fibic, who was primarily successful as Ribery's 3&D wing. She has played as a role player in New York, but as she proved as a starter, she is certainly capable of increasing her numbers if used more often. Fievich has been very efficient this season, shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from three. She can also match up with the opposing team's top perimeter players and propel any starting lineup with her height and length at 6'4.
Rikea Jackson proved to be a true bucket getter for the Sparks, averaging 13.4 points on 45.6 percent shooting. Jackson got off to a slow start this year, but by the end of the season for the Sparks, she had become the primary scoring option. Jackson has improved significantly defensively this season, and former coach Curt Miller has long talked about her potential as a two-way star in the WNBA. Playing with a spacer like Fibic or a playmaker like Clark would open up Fibic's offensive ceiling even more.
Then we have Angel Reese and Camila Cardoso. They showed they can combine to create a formidable frontcourt, especially on the glass. Rikea Jackson, Caitlin Clark and Leonie Fibich are upgrades for Reese and Cardoso over the Sky starters they played with. Clark will likely help Reese and Cardoso take their games to a new level, and Fivic will quickly become one of the best shooters the duo has played together as professionals.
Between scoring and passing, Clark produced more points than any player in WNBA history, so it's safe to say she improves the offenses she's in. Aliyah Boston is a more complete post player offensively than Reese or Cardoso at the moment, but both would have had better offensive seasons with someone like Clark running the offense.
We'll probably never see a Clark-Jackson-Fivic-Reese-Cardoso lineup. But if they do, the group could certainly cause a stir.
