WNBA Rookies Watch – Rookies Adjusting to the League

The third week of the WNBA regular season was very interesting as the WNBA was the main talking point among national sports media after Chennedy Carter intentionally fouled Caitlin Clark away from the ball and later refused to talk about to press afterwards. The rookies are now adjusting to the physical nature of the league and how it is a tough and very competitive league to play in.

It is now time to recap the third week of WNBA Rookies Watch. You can read the previous week here.

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WNBA Rookies Watch – Rookies Adjusting to the League

As we continue these WNBA Rookies Watch posts, please be aware only a small handful of WNBA rookies are getting extended minutes to play while other rookies are not. This is not to dismiss their talent. There is just strong competition and it is tough to compete against WNBA veterans who have experience and have also played overseas.

*Note – These are games played from May 29th, 2024 to June 4th, 2024*

1. Rickea Jackson – Forward, LA Sparks

We have a new #1 rookie for this week. It is Rickea Jackson. The #4th overall pick continues to perform well and continues to be in the starting lineup beside Cameron Brink. Last week on the road versus the Chicago Sky, she scored 10 points and had 5 rebounds in the ten point loss. She played a season high 28 minutes and shot 80% from the floor (4/5). In the following game, on the road versus the Phoenix Mercury, she scored 9 points and pulled down 7 rebounds. She did struggle from the field in the loss as she she shot only 30% (3/10). But, she did shoot 50% from three (1/2). She is now averaging 10 points, 3.1 rebounds and shooting 49.1% from the field and 46.7% from three. Now, that is impressive.

2. Aaliyah Edwards – Forward, Washington Mystics

Aaliyah Edwards continues to improve and get better. Despite her team being win-less so far this season, the rookie forward plays well when she’s on the floor. In just 17 minutes last week against the Atlanta Dream at home, she shot 60% (3/5) from the field. She scored 7 points and pulled down 4 rebounds. In the following game against the New York Liberty, she only played 15 minutes and had 7 points and 4 rebounds, but struggled shooting from the field at 33.3% (2/6). In her last game on the road versus the undefeated Connecticut Sun, she had her best game of the season. She scored a career high 14 points, pulled down 9 rebounds and shot 45.5% (5/11) from the field. She also had one steal and one block.

3. Sevgi Uzun – Guard, Dallas Wings

Sevgi Uzun continues to shine for the Dallas Wings. As a starter, the rookie guard played 34 minutes in a close two point road loss versus the undefeated Connecticut Sun and she contributed 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. However, she shot 37.5% (3/8) from the floor and 33.3% (1/3) from three. In the following game, on the road versus the Minnesota Lynx, she scored a career high 12 points, pulled down 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and shot 41.7% (5/12) from the floor in the loss. She struggled from 3, shooting 25% (1/4) and shot 50% (1/2) from the free throw line. Turnovers continue to be a problem, as she had 4 versus Connecticut and 5 versus Minnesota.

4. Angel Reese – Forward, Chicago Sky

Angel Reese struggled this week. After appearing as the #1 rookie in last week’s rookies watch post, she struggled in the home win against the LA Sparks in which she faced Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. She played 25 minutes and scored 6 points, pulled down 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and shot 37.5% (3/8) from the field. In the following game on the road versus Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever she had 8 points, 13 rebounds and shot 22% (2/9) from the field. She then rebounded versus the New York Liberty at home in which she finished with her second career double-double performance of 13 points/10 rebounds, but struggled shooting from the field as she shot 25% (3/12) and was assessed two technical fouls which led to her ejection in the loss. Later, the league rescinded one technical.

5. Cameron Brink – Forward, LA Sparks

Cameron Brink continues to remain steady for the LA Sparks. Despite struggling with foul trouble in both road losses to Chicago and Phoenix, she was still able to remain efficient. On the road versus the Sky, she scored 7 points, pulled down 6 rebounds, had 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in a season low 23 minutes on the floor. However, she did struggle shooting from the floor as she shot 33.3% (2/6). In the following game, on the road versus the Mercury, she scored 6 points, pulled down 5 rebounds and had 2 blocks. She also shot 50% from the floor (3/6).

Honourable mention

Kamilla Cardoso

She was finally able to make her WNBA debut after a shoulder injury kept her out. She played on the road versus the Indiana Fever and had an excellent debut. The #3rd overall pick scored 11 points, pulled down 6 rebounds and shot 71.4% (5/7) from the field. However, in the next game at home versus the New York Liberty, she only played 12 minutes and scored 1 point and pulled down 5 rebounds. She also had her first career block.

Alissa Pili

Alissa Pili had a breakout game in a blowout home win over the Phoenix Mercury last week in which she played a season high 15 minutes and scored a career high 20 points and pulled down 4 rebounds. She shot 77.9% from the field (7/9) and 100% from three (4/4). In the next game versus the Dallas Wings, she did not play per coaches decision.