CHICAGO (April 15, 2024) — The Chicago Sky announced today that they have selected Angel Reese from Louisiana State University with the 7th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, airing this evening on ESPN.
No. 7 – Angel Reese
Forward | 6’3” | LSU | Baltimore, Maryland | Previous School: Maryland
“We are absolutely thrilled we were able to get Angel at seventh overall,” Chicago Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “That was our hope. We have another incredibly competitive player in Chicago who fits our identity and culture of the city. She is a relentless rebounder, she is a national champion and an SEC Player of the Year and we cannot wait to see her here in Chi Town.”
Reese was named SEC Player of the Year (2024), three-time AP All-American (2022-24), two-time First Team All-SEC member (2023-24), two-time SEC All-Defense honoree (2023-24) and one-time First Team All-Big Ten member (2022). She was also a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist in 2022 and was a 2024 Wooden Award All-American Team member.
After spending her first two seasons at Maryland, Reese transferred to LSU, winning a national title in 2023 and being named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. She averaged 23.0 points, 15.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks in her junior season, and she recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds in the title-clinching game over Iowa.
In 2024, Reese led the SEC in scoring (18.6 points) and rebounds (13.4) for the second consecutive season, becoming the first player since Wendy Scholtens from Vanderbilt in 1989 and 1990 to lead the league in both stats over consecutive seasons.
She had an outstanding season in 2023 after transferring to LSU and helping deliver the Tigers’ first-ever national title. Her 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds led the conference, becoming just the fifth player in conference history to lead in both categories. She set an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles during the 2023 season and began the year with 23 consecutive double-doubles, breaking Sylvia Fowles’ previous LSU record of 19. Her 23 double-doubles were the most in SEC history to begin a season.
Reese set an SEC record with 555 rebounds in 2023, eight short of the NCAA record. Her 240 made free throws and 339 free-throw attempts were also SEC records. On Dec. 14, 2023, Reese became the only NBA, WNBA or NCAA Division I men’s or women’s player in the last 20 years to have at least 30+ points, 15+ rebounds, 4+ assists and 4+ steals and shoot 80% or better from the floor in the same game.
After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Reese was named the Sporting News Athlete of the Year, BET Sportswoman of the Year and won the ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete.
Reese finished her LSU career with the third-most points in a single season in LSU history (829 in 2023) and as the program leader in career rebounds per game (14.4).
Named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team in 2021 with Maryland after averaging 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, Reese increased her averages to 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds in 2022 with the Terrapins. She was the first Terp sophomore to average a double-double since Angie Scott in 1975.
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Entering their 19th WNBA season, the Sky finished the 2023 season with a record of 18-22. The Sky clinched their fifth straight postseason berth in 2023 and this season welcomes new Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon and General Manager Jeff Pagliocca.
The Chicago Sky tip off the 2024 regular-season on Wednesday, May 15 against the Dallas Wings in Dallas at 7:00 p.m. CST. Follow @chicagosky on social media and sky.wnba.com for the latest news, content and ticket purchasing.