On Sunday (Sept. 1), Reese broke the league’s regular-season rebounding record, which was previously held by WNBA legend Sylvia Fowles, during the Chicago Sky’s matchup against the Minnesota Lynx. Coming into the game, Reese needed six rebounds to surpass Fowles’ mark of 404, which she shattered while pulling down 19 rebounds in the contest, bringing her current regular season rebounding total to 418.
Fowles, who played with the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx during her 15 seasons in the WNBA, is the league’s career rebounding leader with 4,006 total rebounds. She set the previous single-season rebounding record while playing for the Lynx in 2018, when the WNBA regular season was 34 games.
Angel Reese #5 of Team WNBA\ reacts after scoring during the first quarter of the 2024 WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center on July 20, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.
While the WNBA season was expanded to 40 games prior to the 2023 regular season, Reese broke the record in 32 games, two less than Fowles, solidifying her place as one of the most spectatcular rookies in league history. With eight regular-season games remaining, her tally could continue to rise, further cementing her new benchmark.
Reese, known for her tenacious playing style, attributes her success to her relentless drive and defensive prowess. “Coming into [the WNBA] I just knew my motor,” the former LSU Lady Tiger remarked. “Offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds is something that I know I can always do. I knew it was going to translate right away.”
Despite common misconceptions that her rebounding success might be due to her height or her ability to retrieve her own missed shots, Reese emphasizes that her achievements stem from hard work and a willingness to engage in the physicality of the game.
Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky talks to the media before the game against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena on August 30, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
“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, who previously broke the WNBA’s rookie records for rebounding and double-doubles, also amassed her 24th double-double on the season, just four short of the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas single-season record of 28, which she set last season. The All-Star forward and the Chicago Sky, which lost their matchup against the Lynx, 79-74, have eight regular season games remaining and currently have an 11-21 record, placing them eighth overall in the WNBA standings.
Nonetheless, the achievement of Angel Reese serves as a bright beacon of excellence and a reminder of the extraordinary talent within the league.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 05: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky looks on during the game against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on July 05, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
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