The former USWNT star and Sue Bird agree on their choice for the coveted award.

The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese admits no compromises. Celebrities, athletes, and journalists have a favorite between the two rising stars of the WNBA and Megan Rapinoe could not be the exception. The soccer legend has a clear favorite and did not hesitate to make her opinion known.

The rivalry between Reese and Clark has dominated headlines since that NCAA final in which Reese led LSU to the title over Clark and the University of Iowa. Although the Hawkeyes guard reached another final in 2023, she never managed to shake off the sting of that victory by the Tigers’ forward.

Their arrival in professional basketball only increased the competition between the two. Clark was the first pick of the Indiana Fever, while the Chicago Sky selected Reese at number seven. Since then, the two rivals have faced each other three times, with two wins for Indiana and one for Chicago.

With all the controversy surrounding the two players, Rapinoe and Sue Bird could not help but offer their two cents in the race for Rookie of the Year and, interestingly, both chose the same player.

Who is Rapinoe’s favorite?

At a recent panel, Rapinoe had no doubts about choosing Caitlin Clark as the WNBA Rookie of the Year. “She’s leading in all the categories. Assists, turnovers, points (crowd laughs). Do not roast her, come on. Don’t roast her, she’s fine,” said the former midfielder.

In her opinion, both Clark and her Fever teammate Aliyah Boston, “have really figured it out.” However, she also acknowledged Angel Reese’s talent, saying, “Angel is having an amazing season. Obviously, breaking the double-double [record].”

Bird agreed with Rapinoe but for different reasons. “For Rookie of the Year, I don’t really do the stat comparison. Yeah, it can help inform things when it’s tight for sure. I don’t do the [team] record. I just do the eye test, and to me, she [Clark] is rookie of the year.”

Clark leads Reese in ROY race

Most pundits agree with Rapinoe and Bird. With a clear influence on the Fever’s rebirth and statistics that exceed expectations for a rookie, Clark is the favorite to take home the award. Reese is not far behind. Her ferocity on the boards and her vision for scoring have made her an invaluable asset to the Sky.

Behind them, Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx; Kamilla Cardoso, Reese’s teammate in Chicago; Boston, in Indiana; and Rickea Jackson, with the Los Angeles Sparks, could spring a surprise at the last minute.

We will know the answer in September.