Angel Reese’s rookie season exceeded expectations, setting impressive records.
The Chicago Sky star, who dazzled before an injury cut short her season, contributed to the league’s surge in popularity, fueled in part by the rivalry between Reese and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, which transcended from college to professional basketball.
However, there was one aspect she didn’t achieve: winning. Something she wasn’t used to and seeks to change, starting with the opening match against Indiana on May 17.
I wasn’t used to that. It takes an adjustment. It’s something you don’t want to get used to because you don’t want to get into a mindset like, ‘Oh, we’re going to lose every night.’ We were there every night.
Angel Reese
Last season, the Sky finished in tenth place in the WNBA with a record of 13-27, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Despite significant contributions from Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, the team did not achieve the expected results.
The team has made significant changes, including the firing of coach Teresa Weatherspoon and the hiring of Tyler Marsh, former assistant of Las Vegas. Veteran players such as Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins were also added.
The goal is for Reese and Cardoso to elevate their game with the help of these new additions.
She wants to compete, she wants to win, she’s someone who puts that above all else. With all the time she spends building her brand and flying all over the world, she has shown us time and time again that she puts basketball first. Only a competitive player will have all these special things in her life, but still want to be the best player she can be.
Jeff Pagliocca, General Manager
Reese and Clark have transformed the WNBA, attracting crowds and record audiences, generating debates about the sport and society. Their rivalry, which captivated the nation in college basketball, has continued in the professional arena.
Reese, who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, averaged 13.6 points and a league-record 13.1 rebounds per game. She set a WNBA record with double-doubles in 15 straight games and finished with 26 on the season, the most for a rookie.
Although he briefly held the record for total rebounds with 446, a wrist injury prevented him from playing the last six games. A’ja Wilson, the league MVP, finished with 451 rebounds.
Despite individual records, defeats also accumulated.
In her two seasons at Maryland and two at LSU, Reese’s teams lost a total of 20 games and never more than two in a row. She won an NCAA championship with the Tigers in 2023, defeating Iowa in the final.
The Sky, on the other hand, lost 12 of their last 14 games last season. After a seven-game losing streak, they beat the Los Angeles Sparks on September 6, but Reese suffered a fracture in her left wrist that required surgery. The team won the following game, but lost the remaining five.
Obviously, that left a bad taste in my mouth.
Angel Reese
Reese has taken advantage of the offseason to participate in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, seeking to expand her range and become a versatile power forward for the Sky.
Last season, he had a 39.1% field goal percentage and made only 3 of 16 three-pointers.
We want it to be dynamic. We want it to be able to annotate within. We want to be able to create space for him to have more one-on-one finishes within and not have to feel like he has to play in the crowd. We want to put the ball in his hands on the perimeter and allow him to facilitate and create off the dribble as well.
Tyler Marsh
Reese attributes the lack of shots to her indecision rather than her ability to score from the perimeter.
I always tell myself that if I practice and make the shots, I can also make them in the game.
Angel Reese
Reese witnessed the atmosphere of the WNBA finals between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx. She also excelled in Unrivaled, where her team Rose BC won the championship, although she missed the playoffs due to her wrist injury.
Reese feels optimistic about the Sky’s team composition and believes Chicago will be a difficult opponent to beat.
I think we have the right pieces this year. We have great veteran leadership. We have coaches who built a culture from the ground up and set the standards, so I’m excited.
Angel Reese
