Angel Reese, the breakout forward, has burst onto the WNBA scene, quickly establishing herself as a key player for her team. Her smooth transition from college to professional basketball is often credited to the intense training she underwent at LSU under the guidance of head coach Kim Mulkey.
In a conversation with CBS Sports on Wednesday, Reese reflected on her debut year in the WNBA. She currently boasts impressive stats, averaging nearly a double-double with 11.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
“My transition has been fantastic,” Reese remarked. “It wasn’t a huge shock because Kim Mulkey really prepared me for this. At LSU, our practices were grueling, about four hours long. We were always geared up and pushing hard. I expected training camp to be tougher, so I felt really ready. No major WNBA surprises yet.”
During her tenure at LSU, Reese was a powerhouse, especially during the Tigers’ 2023 national championship run, where she averaged 21 points and 15 rebounds per game. Although she couldn’t replicate the championship glory the following year, exiting in the Elite Eight to Caitlin Clark, her collegiate dominance has seamlessly transitioned to the professional arena.
Reese recalled the early hurdles in her WNBA journey, including a challenging debut against the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier. “My first game was against Minnesota, and I was up against Napheesa. Honestly, I got schooled that first game,” she confessed. Collier, a seasoned pro, scored 17 points in 19 minutes during that preseason clash. This season, Collier is averaging nearly 21 points per game, underscoring her prowess.
Angel Reese is evolving through her WNBA encounters
Rather than feeling discouraged, Reese saw the experience as an invaluable lesson. She is determined to keep growing both on and off the court, aiming to inspire young athletes.
“I’ve always aspired to be a top basketball player, but making a lasting impact on the game and influencing young girls and boys is crucial to me,” Reese shared.
Despite facing criticism, Reese has stayed authentic, drawing significant attention to women’s college basketball and the WNBA. This weekend, the spotlight will be on the matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever. Reese will have the opportunity to challenge Caitlin Clark, who currently holds a two-game winning streak in their head-to-head matchups.
Sunday’s game promises to be an exhilarating battle, as Reese aims to dominate and continue her stellar rookie season.
