Angel Reese’s phenomenal rookie season in the WNBA has come to a heartbreaking close after suffering a wrist injury during Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, the Chicago Sky announced on Saturday night.
Reese, who was the 7th overall pick in the 2024 draft and a standout national champion from LSU, made waves in her first year as a pro.
She delivered 26 double-doubles—an achievement that ranks second for the most in a single WNBA season—and even set a league record with 15 consecutive double-doubles earlier this summer.
Angel Reese wrapped up her rookie campaign with impressive stats, averaging 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
Her dynamic play earned her an All-Star spot, making history alongside Caitlin Clark, her college rival and top competitor for Rookie of the Year.
Reese and Clark became the first rookie duo to make the All-Star roster since 2014.
Angel Reese’s achievement also made her the Sky’s first rookie All-Star since 2013.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Wings, Reese was listed as questionable, but news of her season-ending injury came shortly after.
Reflecting on her rookie year, Reese took to social media, writing: “What a year. I never would have imagined my last bucket of the season would be a 3-pointer, but maybe that was God’s way of giving them a glimpse of what’s to come in Year 2 lol. I’m filled with emotions right now, but also with gratitude for what’s next. Although this is God’s timing, I’m grateful for a much-needed physical and mental break.”
Despite some early skepticism from talent evaluators about how Reese’s game would translate to the professional level, her relentless energy and rebounding ability silenced any doubts.
She became the first WNBA player to record 20 or more rebounds in consecutive games, doing so three times in a row.
Her 446 rebounds in 34 games set a new league record, and her rebounding average is the highest ever recorded in a single season.
Beyond her on-court performance, Reese’s popularity transcended basketball.
With a massive following on social media—4.3 million on TikTok and 4.1 million on Instagram—Reese became a cultural icon.
She was spotted at the Met Gala, joined Megan Thee Stallion on stage at a concert in Chicago, and even appeared in a music video with Cardi B and Latto.
Her impact extended beyond basketball, bringing a new level of attention to the WNBA.
Reflecting on her season, Reese said, “Through it all, I’ve shown I belong in this league, even when others doubted me.
All I ever wanted was to make an impact, and I believe I’ve done just that.”
Angel Reese also shared that despite her injury, she still plans to participate in “Unrivaled,” a new 3×3 league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, launching in January.
As for the Chicago Sky, they are battling for the final playoff spot with a 12-22 record.
Although they’ve struggled in the second half of the season, going 2-8 and missing key players like Chennedy Carter, they ended a seven-game losing streak against the Sparks on Friday.
Despite the challenges, Reese’s unforgettable rookie year has left an indelible mark on the league.
Please join me in sending positive vibes and prayers to Angel Reese for a full and speedy recovery.
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Source: ESPN
