By Robbie Hodin
Historically speaking, it takes time for WNBA rookies and young players to earn minutes at the professional level in such a talented league. For instance, an average of between just over three first-rounders across the past five years play more than 20 minutes per night,
That wasn’t the case for Angel Reese. Chicago’s No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese quickly earned the trust of the front office and coaching staff, and earned herself a starting spot right away.
“She is an absolutely relentless competitor,” General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “She pursues the ball better than anybody I’ve ever seen. She’s a winner.”
She didn’t just start, though, she dominated in her rookie season.
Her elite rebounding is the standout skill that immediately put her in the Sky’s rotation as she finished her rookie season atop several all-time league leaderboards.
“Coming into it, I knew my motor for offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds is something that I know I can always do,” Reese said on Sept. 1. “I knew it was going to translate right away. That’s something that a lot of players don’t want to do. A lot of people think it’s because I get my own rebounds, but statistically it’s not. A lot of people think it’s because I’m the tallest on the court when I’m not the tallest on the court.
“Defense and rebounding wins championships and I’ve won championships at every level by just doing that. So coming into the league, before I sharpen up on my offensive things, just being able to have that on my shoulder is something that I know I can always do.”
Reese produced one of the best rebounding seasons ever recorded in the history of the league. Not only are her 446 rebounds in her rookie season the most by any one player in a single year ever, her 13.1 average is the best of all time.
Her dominant season on the glass was propelled in part by her efficiency on the offensive glass. She finished just 0.005 rebounds per game from the best offensive rebounding season of all time with a 5.1 average. Her 172 offensive boards are also the most in a single season all time.
She also finished the season ranked second all time for rookies in defensive rebounds in a single season, just four from setting the all-time record.
Since 2017, only three players have led the league in offensive rebounding — Teaira McCowan, Jonquel Jones and Sylvia Fowles. None of those players is shorter than 6-foot-6. Reese is 6-foot-3.
With her terrific first season in the books, she became one of three rookies ever to lead the WNBA in offensive rebounding; Alessandra Santos de Oliveira and Yolanda Griffith did so in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Given that league play began in 1997 and has grown exponentially in its 27-year lifetime, it’s impressive to see someone accomplish feats that haven’t been done in 25 years.
So, how did she do it?
Reese’s understanding of positioning and floor spacing is just part of what makes her such a unique player. She’s still just a rookie, and yet she has a tremendous understanding of how to place herself on the court to grab any ball on the offensive or defensive glass.
She’s also unbelievably strong and agile. Whenever a rebound goes up, she finds her way to the front of the rim via a combination of bullying and defensive end swim moves. Even though her opponent’s primary goal is to find Reese and box her out — that’s a difficult task. Reese is just too strong and too athletic to keep away from the hoop – and once she gets there, there’s not much one can do to stop her.
Her hands have a terrific connection with the ball and she pairs her physical tools with unmatched instincts and determination. She has a never-ending motor that allows her to constantly outwork opponents on the glass. She does a great job of tracking rebounds, seeing it in the air and predicting how and where it will come off the basket, allowing her to position herself correctly to get the board.
Combine all of this with an impressive wingspan and the result is someone who broke records nearly every night for the Sky.
Reese’s rebounding abilities aren’t the only trait that makes her a key piece and special player for the Sky. She broke the all-time record for consecutive double-doubles this season with 15 straight and averaged 13.6 points with multiple 20-point showings.
Her scoring prowess in the league appears to just be getting started. Of note, Reese took more three-pointers this year than any one season in college and is continuing to develop her range to become a hybrid, stretch four for the Sky.
“I was in the gym all night last night shooting threes,” Reese said after knocking down a three on Sept. 6. “Just being able to continue to gain confidence. My teammates continue to tell me to keep shooting no matter how many times I miss, they always tell me to shoot it. … Being able to stretch out, I think it helps my teammates, so I’m going to be whatever my teammates need me to be.”
Reese has the future looking as bright as ever in Chicago. It looks as though opposing teams will have to figure out a way to limit her scoring and rebounding capabilities for many years to come.