Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Grading Angel Reese’s rookie season

One of Angel Reese’s top games of the season unexpectedly became her last. She punished the Los Angeles Sparks at close range on rim rolls, putbacks, and face-up moves but hurt her wrist on a fall, prematurely closing a historic rookie year. Her absence will make it harder for the unit to maintain the eighth seed over the Atlanta Dream. There is only one game of separation in the standings.

Reese was the third-best Chicago Sky player behind Chennedy Carter and Marina Mabrey. Mabrey was traded to the Connecticut Sun on July 17. Her future is as bright as the reflecting light from Venus.

She averaged 13.6 points on 39.1% shooting with 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks. Aside from a few stat padding incidents, her biggest issue was scoring. The tally at 0-5 feet was 44.5% accuracy, a hideous mark for the league leader in attempts at that zone. And she made 16 of 55 jumpers between mid and long-range. 

Improving her playmaking is necessary, too. She averages more giveaways (2.2) than  dimes (1.9). 

Yet, the 2024 SEC Player of the Year and recent WNBA All-Star’s hustle added much to the Sky. She is the league leader in rebounding and second-chance points average/total. Her screening is an effective separator. And she gets to the line fifth-most in the league. Her split at the line is 73.6%, an acceptable mark, but her goal should be cracking at least 80%.

The Bayou Barbie was a swinging ball and chain on defense, blowing up the back line as well. It should not surprise anyone if she is voted to either of the two WNBA All-Defensive teams.

She must spend the whole offseason (after recovery) working with a former pro she’s comfortable with. Perhaps Shaquille O’Neal, an admirer of her talent, friend and former legendary NBA center, could teach her his deadly drop-step hook. That’s the type of signature move she needs to carve up defenses consistently.

Saturday night, she posted, “I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2 lol.”

Adding the deep shot is a plus and will help her team. But becoming a stretch four is not the way. Reese should take open looks if the defense disrespects her, but she should be at close range as often as possible to score easier, take more charity shots and keep snagging rebounds at a high clip. 

Reese was a game-changer through 34 outings. Her season gets a B+.

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