Reese , aged 22, has become the WNBA's record holder for most total rebounds in a single-season (446) and offensive rebounds (172), having overtaken Sylvia Fowles on Sept. 2 in a game against the Minnesota Lynx.
During her outstanding first year, Reese notched an average of 13.1 rebounds per gam e and 5.1 on the offense, positioning her as one of the top contenders for the Rookie of the Year accolade, in direct competition with her long-standing rival Caitlin Clark.
Nonetheless, Reese will have to pause her rebounding prowess till the next season due to a wrist injury that brought her 2024 season to a close. "What a year. I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2 lol," Reese penned on X.
"Through it all, I have showed that I belong in this league even when no one else believed. All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact. I can confidently say I have done that and will strive to keep doing so. I'm filled with emotions right now that I have a season-ending injury, but also filled with so much gratitude for what is next."
"Although this is God's timing and not mine, I am finally able to give myself a physical and mental break. 'God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.' You'll still see me being the biggest cheerleader on the sideline! And Unrivaled league, see you soon!"
WNBA spectators are critical of most of Reese's rebounds, suggesting that they primarily result from her missed layups. Allegations were made about Reese gathering 53 rebounds off her own attempts.
"Is it really a rebound record when you rebound your own shot you threw up 3 times in a row? " questioned one viewer. "She gets a lot of rebounds but they're mainly from her own missed shots. She's the most overrated rookie of all time," commented another.
"Reese had a great season as a commentary player, like a Rodman type of player. Would an only rebounder get MVP or even be considered for it, No. They used her wrong just to get stats and attention, and that hurt the team."
opined a third observer.
Against the criticisms by WNBA fans, Reese has defended her performance. The former LSU Tigers standout insists the stats vindicate her.
"A lot of people think it's because I get my own [misses] but statistically, it's not," Reese asserted.
"A lot of people think it's because I'm the tallest on the court, when I'm not the tallest on the court. Just 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."
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