Her rookie season may be over, but Chicago Sky guard Angel Reese has left a major mark on not just the WNBA but all of sports and she’s being recognized for it.
This week Sports Illustrated unveiled its list of “THE 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL FIGURES IN SPORTS” for the year 2024. Among the athletes at the top of the list were usual suspects such as LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, Dawn Staley and Lionel Messi. But right around the middle – sandwiched between Patrick Mahomes and Carlos Alcaraz was the 2024 WNBA All-Star selection.
Kristen Nelson wrote the blurb on Reese, highlighting how she has enjoyed a WNBA record 15 straight double-doubles and was the first rookie with back-to-back 20-rebound games. She has also gained some very lucrative business partnerships with endorsements from Reese’s and Reebok.
“Since being drafted No. 7 by the Sky in April, Reese has gone from Bayou Barbie to WNBA All-Star, making a strong case for Rookie of the Year along the way. The 6′ 3″ forward has already turned in a historic season. She set a league record for most consecutive double doubles (15), became the first WNBA rookie to record back-to-back 20-rebound games (a feat not seen at the pro level since fellow LSU alum Shaquille O’Neal did it in April 1993 as an NBA rookie). The 22-year-old and SI October issue cover star has long parlayed her on-court success into savvy business opportunities; she recently paired up for a fitting candy partnership with Reese’s, released a collection with Reebok and has confirmed that she has a signature shoe on the way.”
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 19:Angel Reese #5 of Team WNBA poses for a photo during practice on July 19, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
Juan Ocampo/Getty Images
Reese’s 2024 WNBA season was cut short by a season-ending injury, so the major end-of-season awards are probably out of her grasp at this point.
There have been no shortage of critics of Reese either, but there’s little denying that she’s done a great job in helping to grow the game with her popularity and on-field performance.
And just in case anyone is worried, Caitlin Clark also made the list.
