In Sunday’s 84-71 loss to the Seattle Storm, rookie phenom Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky set WNBA history by registering a new record with her thirteenth consecutive double-double.
Reese broke Candace Parker’s record of 12 straight double-doubles from 2009 and 2010 with her 17 points and 14 rebounds in the game. Parker is an all-time great.
“I’m just trying to be consistent for my teammates, doing whatever I can to help my team,” Reese added. “I think I didn’t do enough tonight, but just being able to be there for my teammates and knowing that I have a job to do every day no matter if I’m a rookie or a vet.”
The accomplishment was described by Reese’s first-year head coach as “incredibly amazing to see” by Weatherspoon. Even if she’s surprised herself, I’m not impressed. As long as she is willing to put in the necessary effort, she can do anything. The amount of effort required to do this is truly remarkable and is a powerful motivator.
In only 20 games, Reese also hit the 30-steal, 225-rebound, and 275-point marks. Among players who played in fewer games, only Yolanda Griffith (19 in 1999) achieved similar numbers.
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With 14 for the year, Reese is currently tied for fifth all-time among rookies in double-doubles. For a first-year player, Tina Charles has the record with 22 double-doubles.
“It’s great for me, being able to know where I’m at right now and I’m not satisfied where I’m at,” Reese commented. Because my teammates and coaches have faith in me and my abilities, I try to keep my faith in the process. Thank you so much. Being selected with these incredible players is a blessing. Their kindness toward me has never wavered. Inspiring and helpful, they have always been. Being able to beat their records and be up there with them is pretty great; I’ve followed them my whole life.
The rookie has looked forward to the late Parker, who won a championship with Reese’s Sky in 2021 after playing for the team for two seasons, as an inspiration. According to Reese, she has also become close to Parker’s mom.
“To continue to be named with her, I want to win and being able to come out and come to Chicago and rep her city and bring a championship home is going to be what’s important for me and what I look forward to,” said Parker’s coach.
Despite having efficiency issues earlier in the season, Reese shot 8 for 15 on Sunday, and she has done so in six of Chicago’s last eleven games.
Weatherspoon remarked on Reese’s in-season development, saying, “It’s a level of confidence to do way more than what people think she can.” When she’s open, she shoots the ball with confidence and self-assurance, knowing that she can make the shot because, after all, there’s no reason not to believe in your training if you put in the time and effort. This is something she is now engaged in.
Her ability to finish around the hoop, whether it’s grabbing offensive rebounds and putbacks or just positioning herself in our offensive setups to finish with power, has greatly improved recently. Thus, it is quite encouraging to observe. As time goes on, she will only improve.
Last week, Reese became one of just two rookies—along with Caitlin Clark—to be nominated to the 2024 All-Star team. Reese was the seventh overall pick in the draft after a stellar career at Maryland and LSU, where she won the national title in 2023. Later this month, the two will compete as partners for Team WNBA in the WNBA All-Star Game, where they will face off against the United States Olympic team. They are currently leading the race for Rookie of the Year.
Colleague Marina Mabrey gushed, “It’s a joy to watch” when describing Reese. “She never wavers. Despite being a rookie, she comes in every day and fights and battles—something that is incredibly difficult to achieve. She essentially dove headfirst into the transition, which is typically one of the most challenging, and now it’s paying off. Furthermore, I am eagerly anticipating its future trajectory because this is only the start.
The Sky dropped to seventh place in the rankings after Sunday’s defeat, but they are still in playoff contention.
