NEW YORK — Angel Reese is proud to be part of the stellar rookie class that is uplifting the WNBA. She is just somewhat disappointed that people don’t pay attention to all the members of that first-year group.
The Chicago Sky rookie and Randallstown native said the perception that it’s only Indiana’s Caitlin Clark who’s raising the profile of the league is misleading.
“It’s not just one person. I think people don’t realize that [because] the narrative out there is that just one person [is] changing the game,” Reese said Thursday. “It’s a lot of us — me, Kamilla [Cardoso]. There’s Cameron [Brink], Rickea [Jackson]. There’s so many great players and it’s been long overdue, and just being able to see that our impact has been able to change the game.
“I love it for us all, and we’re just going to continue to keep going.”
The league has had tremendous growth in attendance, TV ratings and merchandise sold.
Reese is off to a good start to her professional career on the court, averaging 11.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in four games with the Sky. She has found time to participate in various endeavors off the court, including attending the Met Gala and a Megan Thee Stallion concert. She brought her Sky teammates onstage during the concert.
“She has a tremendous why behind what she does, and she brings along everybody with her,” Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. “She doesn’t go by herself in an instant in this life. ... If you have, make sure the next one has.”
Weatherspoon embraces that Reese has many sides to her.
“She’s a champion. She’s a winner. So she wants to go win. She’s a competitor,” Weatherspoon said. “When she steps out on the other side, she’s earned what’s on the outside.”
Reese has become a team owner, buying into a professional women’s soccer team, DC Power FC.
“Obviously I love sports, not just basketball,” Reese said. “That’s going to just be a part of me, and I’m going to continue to help build women’s sports. That is important to me.”
Reese and the Sky beat the Liberty 90-81 Thursday night in New York to improve to 3-2. Reese contributed 13 points and nine rebounds.
It wasn’t Reese’s first time playing in New York. When she was a freshman in high school, she played in a showcase game at Christ the King against fellow rookie teammate Cardoso.
Reese recalled hitting a shot to send the game into overtime and that it was the first time she had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. The 6-foot-3 former LSU standout said she’ll have a lot of friends and family in attendance against New York.
Another 20-20 performance in New York would certainly send her supporters home happy.
This story was updated to reflect the results of Thursday night’s games.
