Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is having a rookie season for the ages and is in the middle of a week that professional athletes dream of. On the heels of breaking the WNBA record by notching 10-straight double-doubles, the Chitown Barbie was named a WNBA All-Star and garnered June Rookie of the Month honors.
“Coming into this league, so many people doubted me and didn’t think my game would translate, and I wouldn’t be the player that I was in college or better or would be worse and wouldn’t be where I am right now,” Reese told ESPN in a post-game press conference Tuesday night.
“But I trusted the process, and I believed, and I’m thankful that I dropped to [pick No. 7] and was able to come to Chicago. And like, it’s just a blessing.”
Reese will be a WNBA All-Star teammate with her rival and fellow stellar rookie Caitlin Clark.
Angel Reese was brought to tears after learning she made the All-Star Game 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Obwx3XhdhS
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 3, 2024
Clark received the most votes from fans, totaling 700,735. Reese finished fifth with 381,518 votes.
The WNBA All-Star Team has a tall task when it faces the U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball team, which includes A’ja Wilson, Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi.
Rookie Double-Double Streak Hits 11
Oh, and on Tuesday night, Reese garnered her 11th straight double-double in a win over the Atlanta Dream. Reese scored 12 points and 19 rebounds, becoming the first rookie to have 10-plus rebounds and 19-plus rebounds in a game since Teaira McCowan in 2019.
Until Sunday (June 30), no other WNBA rookie in the league’s 28-year history has ever posted 10 straight double-doubles, that is, double digits in points and another meaningful statistical category in basketball, such as rebounds or assists.
Reese earned that distinction when she notched 10 points and 16 rebounds in a losing effort against the Minnesota Lynx.
The six-foot-three forward’s streak of double-doubles, highlighted by her rebounding prowess, earned her Rookie of the Month honors.
The moment the news was shared 😌#skytown | @Reese10Angel pic.twitter.com/5hckt5wZpJ
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 2, 2024
Reese, Clark and the WNBA’s Surging Popularity
Reese and No. 1 overall pick Clark have been neck and neck for Rookie of the Year honors at the season’s midway point.
Their rivalry, which began in college, has graduated to the WNBA, where both have been key players in propelling the league to new heights in terms of ratings and merchandise.
Another compelling subplot surrounding both is which rookie will help lead their team to the WNBA playoffs, which start Sept. 22.
Thanks to the Sky’s victory over the Dream, they currently occupy the eighth and final playoff spot, holding a half-game lead over Clark’s Indiana Fever.
The Fever was in that spot as recently as Sunday. This battle will likely continue for the rest of the season.
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