In the annals of WNBA history, a rookie season for the ages has been cut tragically short by a devastating injury. Angel Reese, the prodigious forward for the Chicago Sky, will be forced to sit out the remainder of the 2024 WNBA season after a valiant effort in 34 games during her debut campaign.
Reese, a towering 6-foot-3 force on the court, took to social media to share her heartbreak with fans. In a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter), she lamented that she never imagined her rookie season would end on such a sour note, referencing her memorable three-pointer against the Los Angeles Sparks that had gone viral just days earlier.
Despite the setback, Reese vowed to stand by her team as they fought for a coveted playoff spot. The Sky, currently tied with the Atlanta Dream for the eighth and final playoff position, have six crucial games left in the regular season.
Drafted by the Sky as the 7th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese made an immediate impact in the league. Her impressive stat line boasted averages of 13.6 points, a league-leading 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. She shot 39.1 percent from the field, 18.8 percent from three-point range, and a solid 73.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Early in her rookie season, Reese shattered records with a remarkable streak of double-doubles. She racked up an astounding 15 consecutive double-doubles, surpassing legends like Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles. Parker, a WNBA icon, previously held the record with 12 double-doubles, while Fowles had achieved 11 in her storied career. Parker also holds the distinction of recording the most double-doubles in a single WNBA season, notching an impressive nine in 2016.
The loss of Angel Reese is a bitter pill to swallow for fans and teammates alike. Her promising career has been put on hold, but her mark on the league is undeniable. As she begins her journey to recovery, the WNBA community will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting her return to the court, ready to witness more history in the making.
