Angel Reese: A Force to Be Reckoned With in Year Two

From the moment Angel Reese was drafted 7th overall by the Chicago Sky in 2024, her impact was undeniable. Regardless of whether you love her or hate her, her presence in the league has shifted the spotlight of the WNBA.

Rookie Year Recap (2024)

Reese made waves immediately, averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, setting rookie records for total rebounds (446) and consecutive double‑doubles. She even notched three consecutive games with 20+ rebounds, a feat nearly unheard of in WNBA history The Sun+15SBNation.com+15Reddit+15. Sadly, her first season ended prematurely when she suffered a wrist injury requiring surgery, cutting short what was a spectacular start WikipediaNewsweek.

Reese didn’t shy away from controversy. After defeating Caitlin Clark’s Iowa in the 2023 NCAA championship game, she famously taunted Clark—sparking intense debate online. Clark herself defended Reese, calling her a fierce competitor and saying the taunts were simply part of the game Newsweek+4CBSSports.com+4Talksport+4.

Sophomore Surge (2025)

Through her sophomore year, Reese has continued to dominate. She currently leads the league with 12.5 rebounds per game, while also averaging 13.8 points and 3.7 assists across 22 games Reddit+15The Sun+15Talksport+15. Then on May 27, 2025, she became the fastest player ever to reach 500 points and 500 rebounds (only 38 games), surpassing Tina Charles’s record Wikipedia.

On June 15, she delivered her first career triple‑double—11 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, two blocks—in a 78–66 win over the Connecticut Sun. She became the fastest forward and third‑youngest in league history to achieve that milestone Wikipedia+1The Sun+1. In recognition of her dominance, Reese was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on July 1 and selected to her second straight All-Star Game on July 6 The Sun+15Wikipedia+15athlonsports.com+15.

Evolving Game and Leadership Role

Reese’s sophomore leap isn’t just about rebounds. Her assist numbers have risen significantly, positioning her as a point‑forward within Chicago’s offense. She has embraced perimeter play, improved her field goal percentage, and diversified beyond her paint dominance—she’s actively expanding her shooting range and decision-making abilities PFSNSBNation.comAndscape.

Within the team, she’s viewed as a tone‑setter, particularly for younger players like Hailey Van Lith—who even consoled her during emotional moments earlier in her college rivalry with Clark Talksport+1Wikipedia+1.

Injuries & Discipline: The Darker Side

Reese’s season hasn’t been without challenges. Most recently, she missed games due to a lingering back injury and is still considered day-to-day by the Sky staff, who are cautious about rushing her return The Sun.

She also leads the league in technical fouls with seven; WNBA rules dictate a suspension after the eighth one in a 44-game season. That looming possibility adds pressure—for both Reese and a Sky team currently sitting at 7–16 The Sun. The Sky’s struggles—exacerbated by injuries to key players like Courtney Vandersloot—have tested how well Reese can carry the team on her shoulders SBNation.com.

Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese: Rivalry in the Spotlight

Their rivalry traces back to their NCAA days: LSU beat Clark’s Iowa in the 2023 title game, then Clark returned the favor in Iowa’s Elite Eight win in 2024 yardbarker.com+15CBSSports.com+15Wikipedia+15. Clark has praised Reese’s relentless rebounding, noting that Reese did the same thing in the pros as she did in college—“getting extra possessions for her team” CBSSports.com+15athlonsports.com+15CBSSports.com+15.

While Clark generally holds broader marketing appeal—with major endorsement agreements such as an approximately $28 million Nike deal over eight years—Reese is building her own brand: a Reebok signature shoe line, NBA 2K26 WNBA cover athlete status, and increasing social media presence Talksport.

Ice Cube recently confirmed the Big3 league offered $5 million to Clark for an eight-game deal—but that no similar contract was extended to Reese, explaining that sponsors simply didn’t expect the same financial impact from her involvement timesofindia.indiatimes.com+5Sportsnaut+5Talksport+5.

Caitlin Clark and others have commented that while they respect each other, the rivalry is intense between the lines—but cordial off the court Reddit+3Reddit+3CBSSports.com+3.

Broader Impact and Cultural Conversation

The Clark–Reese rivalry goes beyond sports: it’s provoked discussions around race, media bias, fandom, and representation in women’s basketball. Analysts and WNBA legends like Candace Parker emphasize celebrating both players’ attributes instead of fueling media-fueled tension. A study by Rice University and University of Illinois Chicago highlighted how Clark’s confident gestures are mostly encouraged, while similar energy from Reese draws harsher critique, exposing racial bias in fan responses and coverage Indiatimes.

Yet despite criticism—many of which has veered into racist or sexist territory—Reese has embraced the role some fans label “villain,” asserting it brings attention to the sport and her teammates. She told reporters she would “take that role” for the benefit of women’s basketball growth NewsweekWikipedia.

Summary

Angel Reese is emerging as one of the WNBA’s most impactful young stars. In just two seasons, she has shattered rookie records, refined her skills into a multi‑dimensional game, and become the rebound queen of the league. While injuries and discipline issues pose challenges, her leadership, growth, and influence both on and off the court set her up as a cornerstone of the Chicago Sky. And whether or not she eclipses Caitlin Clark in marketability, Reese is clearly carving out her own legacy—and helping redefine the sport in the process.