Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese has been making headlines in her debut WNBA season, balancing between historic achievements and mounting criticism. On the one hand, Reese has shattered numerous records, particularly in the realm of double-doubles. In July, she set a new league record for the most consecutive double-doubles in a single season and has continued to dominate on the boards.
Most recently, during Sunday’s narrow 77-75 loss to the Las Vegas Aces, Reese became the first player in WNBA history to record three consecutive 20-rebound games. She also tied Tina Charles for the most double-doubles by a rookie, reaching an impressive 22.
However, despite these remarkable feats, Reese has also faced criticism, particularly regarding her shooting struggles. Some detractors on social media have taken aim at the fact that many of her offensive rebounds come from her own missed shots, leading to a growing narrative about her shooting woes.
In response to the criticism, Reese took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to address her critics directly. “If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. We good!” she wrote, sending a clear message that she remains unfazed by the negative comments and is focused on her game.
The scrutiny comes after Reese’s second consecutive game shooting just 25% from the field, despite her otherwise impressive stats, including 11 points and 22 rebounds in the loss to the Aces. The last time she shot above 50% from the field was on July 7, during the Sky’s 84-71 loss to the Seattle Storm. While her rebounding prowess is undeniable, her shooting struggles have become a focal point of criticism.
RELATED: Angel Reese Captivates in Stylish Jean Shorts for Pregame Look
This dynamic of simultaneous brilliance and imperfection mirrors the experience of another rookie standout, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. Like Reese, Clark has been setting records but has also been plagued by a high turnover rate. However, while Clark’s offensive creativity tends to capture the spotlight, Reese’s more physical, labor-intensive style of play has drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike.
As the Sky prepare for their upcoming game against the Washington Mystics, Reese will be looking to silence her critics by improving her shooting while continuing to dominate the boards. Her rookie season has already been historic, but she knows that to fully cement her legacy, she must find a way to balance her rebounding success with more consistent shooting.
Reese’s ability to block out the noise and focus on her game will be crucial as she navigates the pressures of being both a record-breaking player and a rookie under intense scrutiny.
The young star’s journey is far from over, and all eyes will be on her as she aims to elevate her game to even greater heights.
