Shaquille O’Neal Settles Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese WNBA Rookie of the Year Debate

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has made his allegiance toward former LSU standout and current Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese known.

Yet, that hasn’t stopped Shaq from getting honest about where she stands in the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year race in comparison to Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.

In the most recent episode of his “The Big Podcast With Shaq” podcast, Shaq got asked how he felt about this year’s ROTY race.

“I don’t know what the criteria is for Rookie of the Year, but I love the marketing that’s going on between [Angel] and Caitlin.”

April, 1, 2016; Pearland, TX, U.S.A; TBS broadcaster Shaquille O’Neal waits to judge the dunk contest during the American Family High School Slam and 3-point championship at Dawson High School.

Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s similar to myself and Christian Laettner,” Shaw continued. “We’re forever going to be linked until one of us separates from the other.”

Shaq went on to praise Clark by saying, “[She’s] doing a great job just by playing her game and not responding.”

It sounds like Shaq is more enjoying how tight this ROTY race is, rather than trying to forecast who is going to win the award later this year.

It also sounds like he expects one of either Reese or Clark to separate themselves from the other in the future just like he did with Laettner.