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Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese is on track to be a WNBA All-Star -- and she's chasing a Candace Parker record on the way

Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune on

Published in Basketball

There’s no statistic that measures a player’s motor. But for Reese, it’s reflected in the fact she leads the league in offensive rebounds (4.7 per game) — and, just as importantly, in how she baits opponents from Jonquel Jones to NaLyssa Smith into foul trouble with a persistent, badgering style of play in the post.

That doesn’t make Reese a finished product. She’s often the first to point out her turnover count or missed shots.

She struggled to finish around the rim in the early weeks of the season, and for the season she’s shooting just 45.5% within 5 feet of the basket. While she ranks 11th in the league with 3.1 points per game off second-chance opportunities, that also reflects the missed opportunities caused by inefficient shooting from close range.

After a June 8 loss to the Atlanta Dream, Reese spent several minutes talking shop on the sideline with veteran Tina Charles. The former league MVP gave her simple advice: You have all the time in the world around the rim.

Two weeks later, Reese translated that advice onto the court, slowing her approach to the rim as she backed down Smith during Sunday’s 88-87 victory over the Indiana Fever.

This has always been Reese’s approach to the game. She’s keenly referential as a player, both in her style on the court and in the homage she pays off of it. She wants to be versatile like Breanna Stewart. And a playmaker like DeWanna Bonner. And a competitor like Alyssa Thomas.

When Reese learned after Sunday’s win that she was the first WNBA rookie since Wilson to tally 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game, her face lit up in praise of the reigning champ.

 

“I love A’ja,” Reese said. “She mentored me when I was at Maryland and she’s been somebody that I’ve always tried to model my game after on and off the court. I just love who she is, so just being able to be named with her is amazing.”

Through film sessions and veteran mentorship, Reese is taking the necessary steps to build off a strong rookie foundation.

Reese is shooting 42.5% from the field in June and 51.5% over the last six games. Her rim finishing has consistently improved in that span, rising to 48.8% in June and 58.9% in the last six games.

The growth trajectory is clear. And in the meantime, Reese’s strength on the boards is powering her into the WNBA record book — and quite likely to the All-Star Game.

“She’s learning and she’s learning quickly,” Weatherspoon said. “She has everything that it takes to be an All-Star.”

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