Angel Reese has heard it all.
From her style of play to her unwavering belief in herself to her business moves and decisions, the 22-year-old has been the subject of unrelenting critique and criticism since she was playing college ball for LSU. Never mind that she was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, named to the league's All-Rookie team, and had the best rebounding season of any player in the WNBA's history — there is always something that someone somewhere has to say.
Unrivaled is giving Reese the development opportunities she needs
If Reese's performance at Unrivaled is any indication, all of that is about to change. Last night she posted massive numbers — 22 points and 21 rebounds — and helped the Rose BC lock in the team's 5th win of the season. That personal victory for Reese follows three games in which she's posted double-doubles, and two games in which she's hit 50% of her shots from the floor.
In other words, Reese is growing exponentially as an athlete, and her critics very likely need to be prepared to sit down for a meal made up entirely of their own words.
How Angel Reese's Unrivaled performance can translate to the WNBA
Joining Unrivaled was one of the best decisions Reese could have made for her development this offseason for a key reason: 3x3 basketball doesn't allow players to "hide" like 5x5 on can, and all of their defensive and offensive skills are on display because every move matters. Playing the 3 has also given Reese a lot more options when the league resumes in May.
Reese's passing abilities have also improved in Miami. If she continues to hone that skill and starts passing to open shooters more frequently, her assists will rise and she could easily be effective at adding another 10 points per game. Improving her assists and learning to score outside the square would solidify her as one of league's top 20 athletes and as a strong two-way player.
The Sky will hopefully take these improvements and put Reese at the 3 more consistently in games where a kind of combination small forward/point role can benefit both her as a player and the team as a whole — if they can get that to translate to a 5x5 game in the WNBA. If Angel Reese has proven anything so far, it's that no it's in her vocabulary, and never is a word she doesn't speak out loud.
Where Angel Reese exists, there's always a way — and that's something we're all about to see a lot more of in the WNBA.