WNBA fans were disappointed to hear Angel Reese’s rookie season ended last week due to a wrist fracture. Although the overall prognosis for Reese is good, she will not recover from surgery in time to rejoin the Chicago Sky if they reach the playoffs. But although Reese didn’t get to finish her rookie year the way she wanted, she has much to be proud of after a sensation pro debut.
Reese set WNBA records for total rebounds in a season (446), single-season rebounding average (13.1 per game) and consecutive double-doubles (15). Clearly, she was ready for the rigors of professional basketball despite the doubts of some observers. She also handled herself gracefully despite grueling public scrutiny. Now, with her rookie campaign behind her, let’s focus on her bright future. When Reese recovers from her wrist injury, she will enter offseason mode for the first time since the summer of 2023. This time off will be essential to her mental and physical health, and she has opted not to play overseas this winter.
That said, Reese is one of the founding members of the Unrivaled 3×3 basketball league founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. She will join that league in Miami in January, which should allow her to stay sharp in preparation for the 2025 WNBA season. Before the ’24 draft, Reese’s stock was questioned due to concerns about her impact on the offensive end and her physicality. But the 6-foot-3 forward landed with the perfect team when the Sky selected her with the No. 7 pick, immediately filling a position of need for Chicago.
What’s next for Reese? There are a few areas of her game that will require some work before next season – mainly outside shooting. The best post players in today’s WNBA, including A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, Jonquel Jones and Ezi Magbegor can shoot effectively from midrange or distance when needed. Ironically, the last bucket Reese made before her season ended was a 3-pointer – which might be a good omen for what lies ahead. Playing 3×3 will help her develop that range, as she will have more opportunities to shoot from distance. The 3×3 version of the sport will offer Reese a chance to facilitate, play in the post, pass and shoot. Meantime, her defensive game is only going to get more lethal after an offseason of building strength in the gym. She also can further develop her shot-blocking skills to give pause to any opponents trying to get near the hoop.
Reese has the potential to be a future WNBA MVP. She’s already a strong defender and elite rebounder. She’s a leader with a championship pedigree from her college career at LSU. If Reese’s play in her rookie season was the baseline of her talent, her ceiling may not even be visible at this point. Reese can look to Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson for inspiration. The No. 1 pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft has steadily improved every season, eventually becoming one of the best players in league history. If Reese applies the same work ethic, there’s no reason she can’t follow a similar impressive career trajectory. Reese’s 2024 season ended in unfortunate fashion, but her future is extremely bright. Not only does she have the talent to excel as a pro, but she also has clear goals for improvement. Fans will get to watch the journey in real time, and the setbacks will only make for better comeback
