The rookie forward, Angel Reese, has made a great impression on the WNBA and has quickly become one of her team’s best players. Her smooth transition from collegiate to professional basketball has been credited to LSU’s head coach Kim Mulkey’s demanding training schedule.
Reese discussed her first WNBA season in an interview with CBS Sports on Wednesday. She presently averages 11.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, which is almost a double-double. She said,
“I think my transition has been great,”. “It hasn’t been a huge surprise because Kim Mulkey kind of prepared me for this moment. At LSU, our practices were intense, lasting about four hours. We were always ready and working hard. I thought training camp was going to be tougher, so I felt really prepared. I haven’t had any major WNBA surprises yet.”
Reese was a formidable player for LSU, especially during the Tigers’ 2023 national championship run, when she averaged 21 points and 15 rebounds per game. Despite losing to Caitlin Clark in the Elite Eight the following year and failing to repeat the championship triumph, her collegiate skill set carried over nicely into the professional sphere.
Reese talked about her early struggles in the WNBA, such as her difficult debut against Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx. In my debut game, I guarded Napheesa against Minnesota. She said, “I won’t lie, I was getting fried in the first game. In 19 minutes during the preseason game, Collier, a seasoned veteran, scored 17 points. Collier’s skill level is demonstrated by her over 21 point per game average this season.
Angel Reese is developing well
Reese saw the incident as a helpful lesson rather than cause for discouragement. Her goals are to keep developing professionally and emotionally and to inspire young people who want to be sports. She said,
“I’ve always wanted to be a great basketball player, but leaving my mark on this game and influencing other little girls’ and boys’ lives is very important to me,”
Reese has received criticism, but she has persisted in being authentic and has helped to raise awareness of the WNBA and women’s collegiate basketball. Everybody’s attention will be on the Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever game this weekend. Reese will get the opportunity to exact revenge on Caitlin Clark, the opponent who has a two-game winning run in their individual rivalry, for her prior professional losses.
Sunday’s game looks to be an exciting match as Reese looks to maintain her incredible rookie season and establish her domination.