Season ended for Sky rookie Angel Reese due to wrist injury
Alexa Philippou, ESPN
Angel Reesesensational rookie season for the Chicago sky is out due to a wrist injury sustained on Friday against Los Angeles Lakers.
“What a year,” Reese posted on social media on Saturday. “I never thought the last basket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God’s will to give them a taste of what they’ll see even more in year two lol.”
“I’m very emotional right now because I suffered a season-ending injury. But I’m also very thankful for what’s next. Even though it’s God’s schedule and not mine, I can finally give myself a physical and mental break. ‘God gives his strongest soldiers the toughest battles.'”
Reese, the number 7 pick in the 2024 draft and star national champion from LSUmade a statement in her first season in the WNBA, recording 26 double-doubles, the second-most in a season in WNBA history, and setting a WNBA record earlier this summer with 15 consecutive double-doubles.
Reese averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game last season.
Her outstanding play earned her an All-Star selection as she and Caitlin Clark – their college rival and main challenger for Rookie of the Year – were the first rookie duo to be named All-Stars since 2014. Reese was Chicago’s fourth All-Star rookie and first since 2013.
Before Sky’s game on Sunday against Dallas WingsReese was initially listed as questionable on the injury list.
Before the draft, scouts weren’t sure how Reese’s game would translate to the pros, but her drive and rebounding shined at the next level in an unparalleled way. She became the first player in league history to grab 20 or more rebounds in three consecutive games. Her 446 rebounds in 34 games are the most in a season in WNBA history, and her rebounding average is on pace to become the highest in a season.
Reese’s popularity and presence in pop culture helped the WNBA gain a new wave of fans and relevance. Not only does she have 4.3 million followers on TikTok and 4.1 million on Instagram, she also attended the Met Gala, performed onstage with rapper Megan Thee Stallion at her show in Chicago, and appeared in a music video with rappers Cardi B and Latto. Her dominance on the court and flair off it increased interest in the Sky, who also signed the frontcourt star Camilla Cardoso from South Carolina.
“I proved that I belonged in this league despite everything, even when no one else believed I did,” Reese wrote in her post. “All I ever wanted was to get to the W and make a difference. I can safely say that I have accomplished that and will strive to continue doing so.”
Reese added that she still intends to play in Unrivaled, the new 3×3 league launched by Breanna Stewart And Necklace by Napheesa which starts in January.
The Sky (12-22) are in eighth place in the standings and hope to secure the final spot in the WNBA playoffs, but the second half of their season has been turbulent. They finished 2-8, the second-worst record in the league during that period, and were without a top scorer. Chennedy Carter for five games. The Sky ended a seven-game losing streak against the Sparks on Friday in Carter’s first game since Aug. 25.