by Angel Reese has taken the WNBA by storm in her rookie season, silencing doubters and setting new records along the way. The Chicago Sky’s seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft has quickly established herself as one of the league’s most polarizing players. She has coverage around her 24/7, whether it’s negative or positive and as the old saying goes, “All publicity is good publicity.”
Reese’s exceptional play has earned her several accolades early in her career:
- Rookie of the Month: She was named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for June.
- Player of the Week: Reese became the first rookie since June 2023 to win WNBA Player of the Week honors.
- All-Star Selection: In a testament to her immediate impact, Reese was named a WNBA All-Star in her rookie season.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Reese’s rookie campaign has been marked by several historic accomplishments. Reese set a new WNBA record with 14 consecutive double-doubles, a feat unmatched in league history. Many fans would like to say that her rebounds have simply come from her own misses or try to discredit her total rebounding in other ways. But, the fact of the matter is, you must be dominant to an extent to pull the numbers that she has been pulling. It comes from great box outs and impeccable timing.
Statistical Impact- Reese’s all-around game has been impressive:
To support my claim on her rebounding prowess, Reese is on pace to break single season records for total rebounds, (currently held by Sylvia Fowles with 404). Reese is currently at 332 total rebounds and is is also on pace to break the record for most rebounds per game at 12.3. She also stands at 135 offensive rebounds for now and is on pace to break the total record for this as well (the record is currently held by Yolanda Griffith with 162). At the start of her career, she held the title of offensive rebounding leader through her first five games (yes, I know, it’s a small sample size); but, Reese ranked first in the WNBA in offensive rebounding, averaging 4.5 boards per game.
- Scoring: In July, she averaged 16.8 points per game and is averaging 13.6 point per game overall
- Rebounding: She pulled down an average of 14 rebounds per game in July and averages 12.3 for the season
- To go along with everything else, Reese has shown a significantly lower turnover rate compared to other top rookies, demonstrating her ability to protect possessions.
Reese’s presence has had a tangible impact on the Chicago Sky’s performance:
- Defensive Improvement: The Sky’s defensive rating improved by 13.1 points per 100 possessions with Reese on the floor.
- Positive Plus/Minus: Reese carries a +1.9 rating, indicating her positive impact on the team’s scoring differential.
Growth and Adaptation
Despite her immediate success, Reese has shown a commitment to improving her game. Reese’s Shooting Efficiency has been the main point of emphasis when it comes to her game. When you consider her size and build and then see her percentages, there are things to question. Reese’s field goal percentage (37. 3 to 39.8%) and free throw percentage (66.7% to 73.2% ) early in the season until now, show that she is capable of growth as all rookies are. But this will remain a focal point of critique in her game until the numbers rise to something realistic for her playstyle.
Her learning mindset will be the winning aspect for her. Reese has been extremely open and welcoming to picking up knowledge from her veteran peers. Reese has demonstrated openness to coaching and a strong work ethic, impressing teammates and coaches with her professionalism and consistency.
Rookie of the Year Race
- Main Competitor: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, who is considered the favorite, Reese has been struggling to keep that positive light over her head and the losses only continue to dim it. But if she can get back to the level of when she won rookie of the month, maybe she could skew the voters’ decisions. Clark is a strong candidate, so that will be tough, but anything is possible.
Angel Reese’s rookie season in the WNBA has been remarkable. Her record-breaking performances, immediate impact on her team, and rapid adaptation to the professional level have solidified her status as one of the league’s rising stars. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Reese as she continues to push boundaries and redefine expectations for rookie players in the WNBA.
