In September 2024, Chicago There have been many great rookie seasons in the WNBA, but Angelee’s with the Chicago Sky is one that will go down in history. Even though she hurt her wrist and had to cut her season short, Reese made an undeniable impact on the league by breaking records, winning fans, and showing that she belongs with the best players. Find out more about her journey, the records she broke, and what’s next for this rising star.
The Early Years of Angel Reese: A Star Is Born
Angel Reese joined the Chicago Sky as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She wanted to show what she could do on the biggest stage of women’s basketball. At the end of the year, she had an amazing 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.
Reese’s performance changed everything. In a league where veteran players usually pull down the most rebounds, Reese quickly became the best rebounder, regardless of how much experience she had. Because she never gave up on the ball and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, she beat Sylvia Fowles’s record for most rebounds in a single season. Fowles had retired two years before as the WNBA’s career leader in rebounds. .
Not only did Reese keep the most boards, but she also had 172 offensive boards, which was the most in the league. She stood out because she played aggressively on both ends of the court. She was an important part of the Chicago Sky’s game plan. Even though she hurt her wrist and had to miss the rest of the season, she had 446 rebounds, 40 more than the next best player, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, who still has six games left to try to catch up.
People will also remember Reese for a big 3-point shot she made in the fourth quarter of her last game against the Los Angeles Sparks. After revealing her injury on social media, Reese wrote, “What a year.” “I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3, but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2.”
Getting past her doubts and proving herself
On Angelee’s way to the WNBA, there were some hard times. There were concerns about how she would handle the professional level after a successful college career at LSU, where she led her team to a national title. Some critics didn’t think she was big enough or skilled enough to dominate the WNBA at 6 feet 3 inches. It was obvious in her draft spot of No. 7 that some people didn’t believe in her, but it didn’t take long for Reese to prove her worth.
Her first season put the doubters to rest. Chicagoans loved her right away, and her jersey sales went through the roof. Because she was on the court, more people went to Sky games, and more people watched them on TV. Fans loved how determined she was, how she would fight for every rebound, and how much she loved the game.
In an interview earlier this year, Reese said, “All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact. I am sure I have done that, and I will work hard to keep doing it. Because of her drive and skill, she has quickly become one of the league’s faces.
Getting Along with Caitlin Clark: A Story of Two Newbies
One of the most intriguing storylines of the season has been the rivalry between Angel Reese and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. The two players first squared off in the NCAA championship game two years ago, where Reese’s LSU team emerged victorious. Now they have both brought their talents to the WNBA, and their head-to-head competition has been thrilling to watch.
Both Reese and Clark have been considered top contenders for Rookie of the Year. Reese’s season ended too soon, but Clark still has the opportunity to make her case stronger in the remaining games of the season. Many experts believe that Clark’s injury gives her a slight advantage. This could be one of the closest award races in league history.
However, Reese has had a huge effect, and many people still think she should win the award. She has demonstrated that she is not only a great rookie, but also one of the best players in the league as a whole. This rivalry is going to be a big story in the WNBA for years to come, no matter what happens.
What will happen next for Angel Reese?
Angel Reese is still hopeful about the future, even though the injury is a setback. She has already made plans to return, and she will play in Miami’s new 3-on-3 league, Unrivalled, which will begin in the winter. This new opportunity will give her a chance to continue working on her game in a different way while she heals.
In the social media post where she announced her injury, Reese said she was thankful and looked forward to what came next. “I’m feeling a lot of different emotions right now because I injured myself and will miss the rest of the season. But I’m also so thankful for what’s to come.” Even though it’s not my time, this is finally the right time for me to take a mental and physical break.
As Reese works to get better, her positive outlook and strength will be very important. It can be draining on your body and mind to go through a rookie season, especially one as tough as hers. Even though she’s hurt, the break gives her the chance to regroup, heal, and get ready for what looks like it will be an even more important second season.
