Angel Reese is a polarizing figure in women's basketball, with her fair share of fans and detractors. Selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky, the rookie forward has not paid many of her critics any mind. Instead, she has focused on what she does best, grabbing rebounds and playing defense, to help her team stay in the playoff hunt amidst a losing spell after the WNBA 's Olympic break.
On Sunday, she added another record to her glowing resume as she set the new mark for the most rebounds in a single season. The "Bayou Barbie" had 19 rebounds with 17 points against the Minnesota Lynx to break the previous record 404 held by Sylvia Fowles, which she set in 2018.
Reese and her relentless motor
While her offensive efficiency leaves a lot to be desired (she's shooting 38 percent from the field), there's no question the 6-foot-3 forward from Randallstown, Maryland, has a nose for the ball. And as she continues to learn the nuances of the pro game and develops her offensive game further, the All-Star says she's leaning into the things she knows best to help the Sky contend for a spot in the playoffs.
"I just knew my motor. Offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds is something that I know I can always do. I knew it was going to translate right away," Angel shared after their game.
Fans and experts have praised and criticized Reese's rebounding this season. While her rebounding totals have been gaudy—she leads the league in rebounds per game with 13.1—some have raised this because she gets a lot of her own misses. Angel disputes this, explaining that it takes a lot of hard work and grit to battle against the rugged women of the WNBA.
"A lot of people think it's because I get my own [misses], but statistically, it's not. People think it's because I'm the tallest on the court when I'm not. It's being able to go down there and bang, doing things that a lot of people don't want to do. Defense and rebounding wins championships. And I've won championships at every level by just doing that," Reese stated.
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Angel's numbers haven't translated to wins lately
Despite Angel's outstanding double-double performance, the Sky lost 79-74 for their sixth straight defeat. Their record now stands at 11-21, good for eighth in the league. Chicago has lost seven of its last eight games since the league resumed its games following the Paris Olympics.
Angel said she's trying her best to stay positive amidst this awful losing spell and is looking forward to giving her all once again in their next contest.
"Obviously, it's tough. This is the most losing I have ever done in my life. So just being able to stay mentally positive through this, that's the bright light of it. We still are in the playoffs. I'm just looking forward to the next game, there's ways to get better and learn from this one," the former LSU star shared .
Along with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese has impacted the WNBA and women's basketball in ways beyond their years. And as she continues to round out her game, Reese's impact will only grow.
Related: “I’m gonna get the basket, y’all can fight me after” - Gilbert Arenas defends Angel Reese’s alleged stat-padding for double-doubles
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