Sky rookie Angel Reese makes remarkable history

Angel Reese made it known that she wants some credit for the extra national attention the WNBA is drawing in 2024, taking offense at the notion that Caitlin Clark is single-handedly lifting the league to new heights of popularity. Well, it will be tougher to deny the Chicago Sky rookie following the incredible milestones she achieved on Thursday.

Reese scored 18 points and secured 11 rebounds in a 95-83 home loss to the Las Vegas Aces. She is now the youngest player in WNBA history to post nine consecutive double-doubles, via ClutchPoints. Perhaps even more impressive than that accolade, however, is that the 22-year-old has reached a total of 200 points and 175 rebounds faster than anyone since former MVP and eight-time All-Star Tina Charles (2010), per StatMamba.

The outspoken forward can often find herself making headlines for reasons unrelated to what she is doing on the court, but make no mistake, Reese is an impactful talent and one of the rising stars of the sport. She does not want to be known merely as Clark’s rival, and with performances like the ones she has strung together over the course of a week (59 points and 45 rebounds in last three games), the 2023 national champion will stand out on her own.

Additionally, Angel Reese is giving Sky fans plenty to be excited about in the near future and potentially the long-term. She helped her team win two straight games and challenge the two-time defending champion Aces (9-6) Thursday night in Wintrust Arena. However, the triumvirate of A’ja Wilson (31 points on 10-of-19 shooting), Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young were too much for Chicago to handle.

The Sky (6-10) are trusting that their own core can launch the franchise into prominence once again. But Reese is already at that level.

Angel Reese is quickly becoming one of the faces of the WNBA

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
While she did not have an answer for Wilson, Reese is impressing the two-time champion and MVP with her tenacity in the low post, a quality that Chicago is known for embodying during its near-20 years in the league. She is not rubbing elbows with the game’s elite yet– averaging 13.2 points on 40.6 percent shooting, 11.1 boards and 1.7 steals– but the embers of a top-tier frontcourt talent are present.

Fortunately for the WNBA, the former LSU star and No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft is already a notable draw. Although she is at her most marketable when facing off against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, Reese has more people talking about the product. The rookie may be polarizing, but she is also one of the most recognizable players in the W.

Matching her big personality with a big game, which was on full display when she willed the Sky to a thrilling comeback victory over the Fever last weekend, will do wonders for Angel Reese and the WNBA. She looks to build on her history-making professional start and help Chicago get back in the win column on Sunday afternoon versus the Minnesota Lynx (13-4).