The race for WNBA Rookie of the Year is neck-and-neck right now between rivals Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and even Shaquille O'Neal is working his way into the discourse.
On Wednesday's "SportsCenter" with Matt Barrie, the Hall of Famer gave his vote to Reese. One might be prone to call it bias because of their shared LSU connection, but Reese and Clark are locked in a dead heat.
The Sky rookie's stats speak for themselves—Reese is averaging 13.5 points and 12 rebounds a game, and she recently set the record for the most consecutive double-doubles in WNBA history. In almost any other year without Clark in the running, Reese would be the clear front-runner in the competition.
Here's what O'Neal had to say about both Clark and Reese and why he picked the 22-year-old Chicago forward to win the award.
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Why is Shaq picking Angel Reese over Caitlin Clark for WNBA Rookie of the Year?
O'Neal made it clear that it is not just his close relationship with Reese that earned her his endorsement.
"She made the comment the other day that she was born like this, and it's true. Her mentality, the way she plays, no-nonsense, going to say what is on her mind, going to play the way she plays, and I love that about her," he said.
“[Angel Reese is] definitely leading in the Rookie of the Year race.”
— espnW (@espnW) July 17, 2024
Shaq says that Caitlin Clark is a "fabulous player" but his vote for ROTY is for Angel Reese right now 👀 pic.twitter.com/bGmSgTeXSn
Shaquille O'Neal-Angel Reese connection, explained
Reese has spoken about how she sees O'Neal as a "father figure" in her life. He even escorted her with her family for her senior day ceremony at LSU earlier this year.
O'Neal, 52, serves as a mentor and friend to the rising star, offering Reese coaching and business advice among words of encouragement.
O'Neal and Reese, who both made their names on the LSU basketball court, first met at a Tigers football game. O'Neal challenged Reese to score a 20-20 double-double, and she responded with 23 points and 26 rebounds against Mississippi State.Their connection beyond basketball. O'Neal cares about her as a person, not just as a player, Reese said — though he has called her "probably the greatest athlete to come out of LSU, male or female," which left her taken aback.
"He’s super inspiring to me," Reese told USA TODAY Sports. "He’s so genuine, he’s been there for me through tough times. He just gets it, and there’s not a more perfect person for me to be tight with. We have fun, and if I need anything, he would help me … and he would do that even if I never played basketball again."
O'Neal offered more support for Reese in her final contest against Caitlin Clark and the Fever on Aug. 30. He attended the match, sitting front row to see Reese and Clark lock horns one more time.
It seems Reese and O'Neal's relationship is getting stronger by the minute. Basketball fans across the world can rejoice.
