Angel Reese has quickly established herself as one of the premier rebounders in the WNBA, making a significant impact in her rookie season with the Chicago Sky. Her prowess on the boards is undeniable, as she continues to shatter records and make history. On Friday, she became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 20 rebounds in consecutive games, an incredible achievement for any player, let alone a rookie.
However, Reese’s dominance in rebounding is often overshadowed by her struggles on the offensive end. Despite her success on the glass, her shooting has been, to put it mildly, a glaring weakness. Teams have begun to exploit this flaw by giving her wide-open looks, daring her to shoot—often without even applying any defensive pressure.
In Friday’s game, Reese finished with 13 points and 20 rebounds, but her shooting performance was abysmal. She went just 3-of-12 from the field, and many of her points came from putbacks after missing her initial attempts. The Connecticut Sun, who handed the Sky a tough loss, made no effort to guard Reese outside of the paint, effectively inviting her to shoot. Yet, even with the space, she struggled to convert.
One of the most frustrating aspects of Reese’s game is her inability to finish at the rim on the first try. Time and again, she would miss close-range shots, only to grab her own rebound and try again. While this certainly pads her rebounding stats, it also highlights a significant weakness in her offensive game.
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To add insult to injury, Reese’s frustration seemed to boil over during the game. After finally scoring a bucket in the third quarter, she taunted five-time WNBA All-Star Alyssa Thomas with the “too small” gesture. The move came after Reese missed her initial shot, grabbed the rebound, and scored on the putback.
While the gesture might have been intended to show confidence, it fell flat, especially considering her overall shooting struggles and the fact that her team was losing.
Reese’s shooting woes didn’t just affect her individual stats—she ended the night with a disappointing 25% shooting percentage—but they also contributed to the Sky’s loss. Despite her impressive rebounding and defensive numbers—holding opponents to less than 40% shooting when she’s guarding them—her offensive liabilities are becoming increasingly apparent.
It’s important to acknowledge that Reese is having a strong rookie season overall. Her ability to dominate the boards and disrupt opponents on defense makes her a valuable asset to the Sky. However, her offensive game remains a significant work in progress. As much as she shines in one aspect of the game, her struggles in another cannot be ignored.
In the end, Reese’s rookie season is a mixed bag. She’s making history and proving herself as a defensive force, but until she can improve her shooting, she risks being a one-dimensional player.
More than one thing can be true: Angel Reese is a rebounding machine, but she’s also a liability on offense, and that duality is something the Sky will need to address as they look to build around their young star.
