Angel Reese Makes Big Leap in ESPN WNBA Rankings
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has transformed her season from a challenging beginning into a showcase of elite basketball performance, demonstrating the resilience and skill that originally made her one of the most promising young talents in women’s professional basketball. After struggling through the initial stages of her sophomore campaign, Reese has rediscovered the dominant form that characterized her collegiate career and rookie season, systematically addressing the weaknesses in her game while amplifying her natural strengths to become one of the most impactful players in the WNBA.
The statistical evidence of Reese’s remarkable turnaround is undeniable, as she currently maintains an impressive double-double average of 13.6 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, numbers that reflect not only her individual excellence but also her growing importance to the Chicago Sky’s competitive aspirations. Her comprehensive improvement across multiple facets of the game has earned recognition from ESPN’s analytical team, resulting in a significant jump from 25th to 18th in their latest WNBA player rankings, a movement that represents one of the most substantial position changes in the network’s evaluation system this season.
ESPN’s assessment, penned by respected basketball analyst Kendra Andrews, emphasizes the magnitude of Reese’s recent performance surge, noting that she has recorded eight consecutive double-doubles, including a particularly dominant 22-point, 15-rebound performance against the Washington Mystics that showcased her ability to impact games on both ends of the floor. This sustained excellence has not only elevated her individual statistics but has also contributed to the Chicago Sky’s improved team chemistry and competitive positioning within the highly competitive WNBA landscape.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Reese’s development has been her dramatic improvement in shooting efficiency, an area that had drawn criticism from analysts and fans during the early portion of the season when her field goal percentage languished at just 31 percent through her first seven games. Since that difficult start, Reese has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and work ethic, raising her shooting percentage to an impressive 49 percent, a transformation that has silenced many of her critics and validated her commitment to continuous improvement.
The evolution of Reese’s playmaking abilities represents another significant dimension of her growth as a complete basketball player, as evidenced by her more than doubling her assist output from 1.8 per game last season to 3.8 assists this year, culminating in a spectacular triple-double performance in June where she recorded 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. This development in her facilitating skills has added a new layer to her game that makes her increasingly difficult for opposing defenses to contain, as they must now account for her ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates in addition to her own offensive contributions.
Andrews’ analysis further highlights Reese’s continued dominance on the boards, where she leads the entire WNBA with 12.8 rebounds per game, a testament to her exceptional athleticism, court awareness, and relentless pursuit of every loose ball. Her rebounding prowess has become a cornerstone of the Chicago Sky’s defensive identity, providing the team with crucial second-chance opportunities while limiting opponents’ offensive possessions through her ability to secure defensive rebounds and initiate fast-break opportunities.
The personal growth that has accompanied Reese’s on-court improvement can be attributed in part to her collaboration with Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, currently ranked number one on ESPN’s player rankings, who worked extensively with Reese during the offseason to refine various aspects of her game. Reese’s acknowledgment of Collier’s mentorship demonstrates the maturity and humility that have characterized her approach to professional development, as she credited both Collier and trainer Alex Bazzell for helping her develop greater poise and patience on the court.
The mental aspects of Reese’s transformation cannot be understated, as her ability to maintain composure under pressure and demonstrate patience in crucial moments has become a defining characteristic of her improved play, allowing her to make better decisions and execute more effectively in high-stakes situations. This psychological development has been particularly evident in her recent performances, where she has consistently delivered clutch plays and maintained her intensity throughout entire games rather than experiencing the inconsistency that marked her early-season struggles.
Despite Reese’s individual excellence, the Chicago Sky’s overall team performance continues to present challenges, as she remains the only player from her organization to earn recognition on ESPN’s rankings list, highlighting the team’s need for additional contributors to support their star forward’s efforts. The Sky’s recent victories, including an impressive win over the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx, suggest that the team may be finding the chemistry and consistency necessary to complement Reese’s outstanding individual contributions.
Looking forward, the trajectory of Reese’s development suggests that her rise in the ESPN rankings may continue if she maintains her current level of performance, as her combination of statistical production, improved efficiency, and enhanced leadership qualities position her as one of the most valuable players in the league. The foundation she has built through her dedication to improvement and her willingness to learn from established stars like Collier indicates that her best basketball may still be ahead of her, making her ascent in the rankings a compelling storyline to follow throughout the remainder of the season.
As the WNBA season progresses, Angel Reese’s remarkable transformation from a struggling sophomore to a top-tier professional serves as an inspiring example of how dedication, proper mentorship, and unwavering commitment to improvement can overcome early challenges and establish a foundation for sustained excellence at the highest level of women’s professional basketball.