Angel Reese: The Most Polarizing Rising Star in the WNBA

Angel Reese has quickly become one of the most talked-about athletes in the WNBA. Since her entry into the league as the 7th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, she has demonstrated a unique combination of record-breaking performance and polarizing public reception. This article delves into her early career achievements, critiques, and her future potential.

Dominant Start: A Record-Breaking Rookie Campaign

Angel Reese entered the WNBA with high expectations after an impressive college career at LSU. However, her immediate impact at the professional level exceeded most predictions.

Reese led the WNBA in rebounds during her rookie season, averaging 13.1 rebounds per game. Her 446 total rebounds set a new single-season league record. In addition, she secured 172 offensive rebounds, making her the first rookie in 25 years to lead the WNBA in this category.

Her consistency was equally historic, as she notched 26 double-doubles in her first season. Notably, she posted 15 consecutive double-doubles — the longest streak by a rookie in WNBA history.

Continued Milestones in Her Sophomore Season

Reese's sophomore season built upon her dominant rookie campaign. She became the fastest player in league history to reach 500 points and 500 rebounds, accomplishing this feat in just 38 games and surpassing the previous record set by Tina Charles at 44 games.

Despite opposing teams adjusting their defensive tactics, Reese maintained her elite rebounding numbers. She also began to take on greater leadership responsibilities for the Chicago Sky.

Offensive Struggles and Areas for Improvement

While Reese's rebounding prowess is undeniable, her offensive game remains an area for growth. Her field goal percentage stood at 30.3% in the 2025 season, with significant struggles in finishing around the rim, converting just 42% of her layup attempts. This has led to concerns about her offensive polish and versatility.

Additional areas for development include expanding her shooting range, improving free throw consistency, reducing turnovers, and refining decision-making in offensive sets. WNBA legend Lisa Leslie has publicly offered to coach Reese, highlighting both her potential and current limitations.

The Polarizing Public Discourse

Reese's prominence off the court rivals her rebounding dominance. Her confident persona, social media presence, and endorsements have made her a visible figure beyond the game itself.

The Critics

Some commentators, including Jason Whitlock, have labeled her as "arguably the most overrated athlete in all of sports," pointing to her offensive inefficiencies and questioning her overall athletic ceiling.

The Supporters

Conversely, many analysts and fans argue that such critiques often overlook Reese’s historic rebounding contributions. They suggest that certain critiques may be influenced by societal biases, especially considering the historical treatment of confident female athletes of color.

Untapped Potential: The Road Ahead

There is broad consensus that Reese has the potential to elevate her game significantly if she addresses her offensive limitations. With improvements in finishing, shooting, and decision-making, she could become one of the league's most dominant two-way players.

Areas for development include:

• Finishing stronger through contact

• Developing a mid-range and outside shot

• Enhancing free throw accuracy

• Improved handling of double teams

• Defensive refinement against elite post scorers

Given her youth, drive, and access to elite coaching, her long-term outlook remains exceptionally bright.

Marketability and Influence

Beyond her on-court performance, Reese’s branding power has contributed to her rapid rise. Her strong social media following, high-profile endorsements, and appeal to younger fans have significantly bolstered the WNBA's visibility and marketability.

Statistical Snapshot

Conclusion: Underrated with Sky-High Potential

Labeling Angel Reese as "overrated" overlooks the historic nature of her achievements and the massive impact she has already had on the WNBA. While her offensive game requires refinement, her dominance in rebounding and consistency at such an early stage make her more underrated than overrated. With continued development, Angel Reese could soon establish herself as one of the league's premier stars.