Angel Reese Praised by WNBA Fans for Near Double-Double in Sky Preseason Debut
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZucker
Featured Columnist IVMay 4, 2024
Rookie forward Angel Reese made a strong impression during her WNBA preseason debut with the Chicago Sky—at least for those fans fortunate enough to see her game.
The 2024 first-round pick had 13 points and nine rebounds in a little over 24 minutes on the floor in a 92-81 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Saturday's game wasn't broadcast on WNBA League Pass, leading a lot of fans to follow the action from a cellphone livestream.
That was better than nothing, though, and allowed viewers to see Reese in a Sky uniform for the first time. The initial returns are encouraging.
The preseason clash underlined how both Reese and the Sky are a work in progress, though. She shot 2-of-8 from the floor, committed five fouls, and had two turnovers to just one assist. Chicago, meanwhile, never led and allowed Minnesota to shoot 52.9 percent from the field.
The Sky are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild with first-year head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after having traded away 2021 WNBA Finals MVP Kahleah Copper.
Of the 11 players to see the floor for the Sky, three are draft picks (Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Brynna Maxwell) and another two are on training camp contracts (Kysre Gondrezick and Chennedy Carter) while attempting WNBA comebacks.
The upside for Reese is that she should have ample opportunity to play and work through her inevitable adjustment period in the pros.