Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese & others drop words of wisdom on conquering WNBA rookie challenges

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the rest of the 2024 WNBA Rookie class share words of wisdom for future generations (Image credit: Imagn)

The 2024 season saw Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese lead a rookie class that brought a whole new level of attention and coverage to the WNBA. With Clark helping lead the Indiana Fever to their first playoff berth since 2016 while breaking a number of league records, and Reese cementing her place as one of the top forwards in the league, the 2024 season delivered fireworks.

In addition to the accomplishments of the rookie class, and the attention they brought to the league thanks to their loyal NCAA fans, WNBA veterans such as A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu delivered postseason action that ended with the Liberty winning their first title in franchise history.

With the season now over for Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the rest of the 2024 class, the focus now shifts to the 2025 WNBA Draft, where players such as Paige Bueckers are preparing to step into the spotlight.

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While there are still just over six months to go until the draft, the league’s newly-minted sophomores shared some advice with the incoming class and future generations of players in an article by The Players’ Tribune, where Caitlin Clark was quoted as saying:

“Allow yourself some grace – you ’11 learn, you’ll catch on, and you’ll get comfortable as time goes on. Have fun; it goes by so fast, so you’ve got to soak it in.”

Angel Reese was also quoted as saying:

“It doesn’t matter what number you get drafted; it matters where you get drafted.”

“Always give it your all” – Leonie Fiebich joins Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in dropping knowledge following championship in rookie season

In addition to rookies such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, a number of other rookies also dropped wisdom on the incoming rookie class. One of the players quoted was Leonie Fiebich, who averaged 31.0 minutes per game with the New York Liberty during the team’s postseason run this year.

After being drafted with the 22nd pick of the 2020 WNBA draft, Fiebich didn’t play a single WNBA game up until this season, where she played in all 40 of the Liberty’s regular season games, averaging 6.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals over 20.9 minutes per game.

Then, in the postseason, coach Sandy Brondello upped her usage to 31.0 mpg, with her production improving to 11.6 ppg during the team’s championship run. She was quoted in the Players Tribune’s Rookie Survival Guide as saying:

“One thing is no matter how many minutes you’re on the floor and what happens, just always give it your all – 100% Especially hustle plays, getting extra possessions, that’s really appreciated by your vets out there.

Just pick two or three qualities from veterans that are around you that you really like and try to learn from them.”

LA rookie Rickea Jackson, who went fourth in this year’s WNBA draft to the LA Sparks, also spoke about the importance of the little things, and finding a role within the team:

“I would have to say, being a sponge, taking in whatever little nuggets your teammates or your coaches give you. But if you’re not able to be on the court at the time, just make sure in practice you’re doing all the little things to make sure you’ll get to where you need to be. Whatever your role is, just do your role well.”

Following her rookie year with the Sparks, Rickea Jackson will now prepare for Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier’s Unrivaled 3×3 league which tips off in January.