Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell has revealed that Angel Reese was "lazy" during her high school days - having watched the WNBA superstar's rise from her early days on the basketball court.
The Chicago Sky power forward came to prominence during her record-breaking collegiate years at LSU , winning the NCAA championship in 2023. After being selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft , she made an impressive transition to the professional game.
In a memorable rookie campaign, the 22-year-old tallied up an average of 3.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game before her season was curtailed via a wrist injury. However, Maryland coach Cassell has now claimed that Reese's dedication to her craft was not always as pronounced as in recent years.
Speaking about her days of playing at St Frances Academy, he professed on the Come And Talk 2 Me podcast: "I thought she was so lazy in high school because she was so much better than anyone. Sometimes she’d miss a layup, get a rebound, (and) miss another layup. The other team got the ball and she wouldn't run back down court."
Still, it was clear that the Boston assistant has been left feeling a sense of pride after seeing the Maryland -born youngster become a household name. He said: "Watching her grow up through the ranks in Baltimore High School and seeing her now play the game of basketball,'
Speaking about the Sky fan favorite's father, he added: "Michael Reese was a real real good basketball player. He could play, he was a very very good player you know, had some fallouts you know what I am saying, with addiction. But he is getting himself back together now."
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After catching the eye with her performances in her rookie season, Reese's spirited efforts were not enough to save head coach Teresa Weatherspoon's job. The 58-year-old was relieved of her duties after the team failed to make the playoffs for a first time since 2018.
Taking to social media to reveal her sorrow after Weatherspoon's firing, the youngster posted: "I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life. She was the only person that believed in me. The one that trusted me.
"Many don’t even know what it’s like to be a black women in sports when nobody believes in you. You had a tough job. All the crazy circumstances that we went through this year & when your back was against the wall, you always believed. I came to Chicago because of YOU. You were an unsung hero in my life."
Reese added: "We built a relationship in a short amount of time that will last forever. I’ll never question God why he brings people in my life and takes them away from me in the capacity that I need them but I’ve always believed everyone is in your life for a reason and a season. You were the best reason & season. You didn’t deserve this but I can’t thank you enough. I love you Tspoon."
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