The Chicago Sky’s standout rookie Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s standout rookie achieved an impressive milestone during Thursday’s game against the New York Liberty by becoming the fastest WNBA player to record 100 offensive rebounds since 1999, via StatMamba. The feat adds another accolade to her impressive debut season, which includes WNBA’s Rookie of the Month for June.
Reese’s performance in the game has been pivotal for the Sky, who are battling for playoff positioning. The Sky and Liberty are locked in a competitive matchup, with the two teams battling back and forth, with the score 63-62 in favor of the Liberty, with 46 seconds left in the third quarter.
Reese’s relentless pursuit of the ball has been a cornerstone of her game. Known for her physicality and determination, Reese has consistently dominated the boards, leading the league with an average of 11.9 rebounds per game. Her ability to read the game and position herself effectively has been key to her success, allowing her to secure numerous double-doubles throughout the season.
She recorded her career-high 19 rebounds in a game against the Atlanta Dream on July 2 and followed it up with a personal-best 27 points and 10 rebounds against the Seattle Storm on July 5. Her 13 consecutive double-doubles on July 7 vs. the Storm broke Candace Parker’s long-standing record. She recorded another double-double against the Dream Tuesday, with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Sky guard Marina Mabrey praised her rookie teammate, saying, “She’s so consistent. She comes in every day and battles and fights and she’s super physical for a rookie, which is really hard to do.” (H/t Alex Butler of UPI.)
As the Sky look beyond the Olympic break toward the rest of the season, Reese’s contributions will be critical. Her next target is the WNBA record for double-doubles in a single season, currently held by Alyssa Thomas with 28.
