Who is Angel Reese: Rising Star in Women’s Basketball and Her Journey to the WNBA

Many fans wonder who is angel reese after they hear her name tied to the NCAA tournament and WNBA star buzz. They scroll through stats on free throws, offensive rebounds, and team splits.

They need a simple story they can follow. They want to see how she rose from Saint Frances Academy to pro league stardom.

Angel Reese earned WNBA Rookie of the Month in June 2024, with an average of 14.5 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. She set a record with 13 straight double-doubles. This guide will walk you through her path, from college basketball at Maryland to joining the Chicago Sky.

You will get key facts, clear stats, and game highlights. Keep reading.

Key Takeaways

• Angel Reese grew up in Randallstown, Maryland, and starred at Saint Frances Academy. ESPN ranked her No. 2 in the Class of 2020. She averaged 18 points and 20 rebounds per game, won three IAAM titles, and earned two Baltimore Sun Player of the Year awards.
• As a Maryland freshman, she posted 10 points and 6 rebounds per game and logged six double-doubles in six NCAA Tournament games. At LSU, she set an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles in 2022–23, grabbed 555 rebounds, won the 2023 NCAA title, and was named SEC Player of the Year.
• The Chicago Sky selected her 7th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft. In June 2024, she won Rookie of the Month by averaging 14.5 points and 13.2 rebounds, set a rookie mark with 13 straight double-doubles, and made the 2024 WNBA All-Star team.
• With Team USA at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup, she led U.S. players with 78 rebounds, averaged 8.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, and helped the team win the silver medal.
• Off the court, she grew her Instagram from 70,000 to over 1 million followers in 2023. She streams on Twitch, runs youth camps, signs brand deals, and uses her platform to promote women’s basketball and support her community.

Early Life and Background

Angel Reese grew up in Maryland, where her father ran drills, her sister cheered, and she fell hard for basketball.

She earned a spot at the all-star showcase.

Childhood and Family

Reese grew up in Randallstown, Maryland. Her parents, Angel and Michael Reese, cheered from the stands. Her brother, Julian Reese, now suits up for the Maryland Terrapins.

She sampled pointe work, floor routines, butterfly stroke, and 100-meter dash before she picked up a basketball. Coaches spotted her at amateur athletic union tournaments. Saint Frances Academy coaches gave her a spot on the roster.

High School Basketball Career

She dominated at Saint Frances Academy. ESPN ranked her No. 2 in the Class of 2020. Her stats read like a video game cheat code, 18 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists each night. Three straight IAAM championships came to her team.

Coaches watched her gobble boards and fire pinpoint passes. Calm free throws added more points under frantic pressure.

A McDonald’s All-American selection came in her junior year. Baltimore Sun Player of the Year crowned her twice. Recruiters from SEC and Big Ten schools filled the gym. The Baltimore school felt her impact every night.

Scouts scribbled notes on every fast break and rebound. Tigers fans still talk about her epic board work.

College Career

Angel Reese turned heads the moment she laced up for LSU, scooping boards like a Roomba on the glass in the SEC and storming into the NCAA tournament. Her leap to Maryland lit up Final Four talk, and you can peek at her box scores on Sports-Reference to catch every stat.

Freshman Year Highlights

She played 15 games for the maryland terrapins and averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds per contest. Fans watched her chase loose balls as she logged 53 steals, 36 blocks, filling stat sheets fast.

Coaches rewarded that hustle with Big 10 All-Freshman team honors, and the AP All-America Third Team tag.

Maryland fans saw Angel Reese hit her stride in the ncaa tournament, delivering a double-double in all six games with 21.3 points, 15.2 rebounds. Opponents felt her power on every tip, like a freight train crashing through defense, making nets rattle with each dunk.

Sophomore and Junior Year Achievements

Angel Reese led LSU’s charge in her sophomore season. She notched an NCAA record 34 double-doubles in 2022-23 and hauled in 555 rebounds to shatter the SEC mark. Voters crowned her SEC Player of the Year and placed her on First Team All-SEC.

Her metrics glowed in video analysis tools and performance analytics.

She snagged the 2023 ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete and grabbed Sporting News Athlete of the Year. Coaches named her to the SEC All-Defensive Team. Fans cheered clutch free throws during NCAA tournament games.

That success built the bridge to her journey to the WNBA.

Senior Year and NCAA Championship

Building off her junior run, Reese piled on 2024 awards. SEC coaches chose her as Player of the Year. LSU named Reese to the First Team All-SEC. A spot on the Wooden Award All-America Team followed soon.

AP placed her on its Second Team All-America. USBWA and WBCA each added her to their top squads. Her 830 points in 2022-23 rank third most in LSU history.

On April 2, 2023, LSU claimed its first women’s basketball national title. That win fired Reese up for her final season. Tournament cameras saw her haul down 15.3 rebounds per game.

She sank 15.8 points on average in 2024 NCAA Tournament action. Opponents felt her box-out strength. NCAA Tournament stats put her among the top performers. Fans now expect her presence in every national championship game.

Journey to the WNBA

Angel Reese stole the show on WNBA Draft night, as the Chicago franchise snatched her in the middle rounds. She laced up her team jersey, flashed a grin, and dove headfirst into pro life, hungry to crash boards and light up the scoreboard.

Draft Night and Selection

Lights flashed at the 2024 WNBA Draft as Reese’s name rang out as the seventh overall pick. The draft board glowed, highlighting the Chicago Sky as the franchise that claimed her rights.

A panel tapped her after scouting her at Saint Frances Academy and LSU, reviewing analytics and stat sheets. Scouts praised her rebounding stats, free throw skill, and defensive reads.

Reese will join a lineup rich in veteran talent, like Tina Charles and Candace Parker. She will add a frontcourt punch alongside Sylvia Fowles. Sky fans cheered at the prospect. She aims to boost their scoring and secure rebounds.

A radar of analysts marked her as a future WNBA All-Star.

Joining the Chicago Sky

After draft night, Angel Reese grabbed her Chicago Sky uniform and stormed onto the court. Reese grabbed 120 offensive rebounds, a franchise record for a first-year player that season.

Coaches used game records and performance metrics to spot her energy on every play.

She netted ten or more points in each of her first five games, a club first. The crowd roared at her hustle as she carved space under the basketball hoop. Fans began to call her their go-to rebound queen.

Early WNBA Performances

Angel Reese joined the Chicago Sky as a rookie in 2024. She averaged 10.4 points and grabbed 11.9 rebounds per outing. The rookie also handed out 3.5 assists each match. Her 5.1 offensive rebounds per game led the league.

She ranked first in total rebounds with 13.1. Sky fans saw her play like a veteran.

Reese notched five double-doubles in her first 14 games. That placed her third in rookie history for that feat. Her play earned her a 2024 WNBA All-Star spot. It marked the first time a Sky rookie snagged that nod since Elena Delle Donne in 2013.

Box score details show her growth as a post player. Now she sets her sights on national team action.

National Team Career

Reese donned the USA Women’s Basketball jersey, drove Team USA to gold at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, and left fans hungry for more—keep reading to catch her next moves.

Representing Team USA

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese joined Team USA for the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup. She averaged 8.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. That effort produced a record 78 total boards by any United States player in the tournament.

Fans and analysts touted her rebounding hustle. It powered the squad to a silver medal finish.

Key Contributions in International Tournaments

She led Team USA to a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup, hauling in 11.1 boards and scoring 8.3 points per game. Angel Reese steered the team with her rebounding, as the stat sheet proved.

Her glass work stood out in each contest.

Reese notched three double-doubles against Cuba, Colombia, and Canada. She set a Team USA record with 78 rebounds in the tournament. Opponents found it hard to match her power on the boards.

Player Profile and Style of Play

Angel Reese crashes the boards like a freight train, mixes that grit with elite player efficiency and a sky-high rebounding rate, keep reading to catch every move.

Dominant Skills and Strengths

Reese flies across the lane, snatching boards on every haul. Coaches call Angel Reese a double-double machine, thanks to her hustle.

On June 12, she recorded a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds against the Connecticut Sun. That feat set a rookie record, as she grabbed 10 or more boards in 28 straight games for the Chicago Sky.

Notable Records and Statistics

Fans can track these marks in sports analytics on a reference site.

Off-the-Court Activities

She streams on Twitch, posts daily on Instagram, runs a Chicago youth camp, and designs gear with a sportswear label, so read on to catch all her off-court moves.

Personal Life and Interests

Angel Reese has more than 1 million Instagram followers. She grew that number from 70,000 after her NCAA title run. The photo app lets fans peek at study sessions and team drills. Angel uses social media to push women’s basketball.

Fans see her jokes about free throws and slam dunks. She chats with young players during public events as a role model.

Angel joins community events in Chicago and Baton Rouge. She plays in the women’s national basketball association with Chicago Sky. She visits hospitals in a smile filled tour. She signs autographs at local schools.

Angel balances her Maryland classes with team drills. Her schedule shows lab reports, charity work, and fast breaks.

Business Ventures and Endorsements

Championship fame boosted her market value. Her social media count jumped from 70,000 to over 1 million followers after the NCAA National Championship win, catching the eye of top brands.

She now lands sportswear and lifestyle deals thanks to her title as the 2023 BET Sportswoman of the Year and Sporting News Athlete of the Year.

She averaged 8.3 points and 11.1 rebounds at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup with Team USA. Sponsors now sit up when she steps onto the court in Chicago Sky gear. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter help her share branded posts and grow her voice.

The rise in women’s sports gives her a stage to sign bigger contracts and shake up the scene.

Philanthropy and Community Work

Angel Reese uses her growing fame to boost women’s sports. She posts viral moments on a video platform, sparking talks about hoops. Fans on photo-sharing apps tag friends, and young players feel hope.

Her new role on the Chicago Sky adds weight to each post.

Local media praise her for raising awareness. Her influence may lead to more clinics and camps for kids. Community leaders note her leadership and plan more events. Young athletes look up to her as a role model.

Angel Reese in Popular Culture

Her face lights up photo apps and video apps, as fans tag her after jaw-dropping dunks and bold style moves. She links up with top labels for eye-catching ads and sparks memes that stick like glue on digital walls.

Media Presence and Social Media Influence

Fans love her posts. Angel Reese grew her Instagram from 70,000 to more than 1 million followers just after the 2023 NCAA Championship. She teases dunk clips, trash-talk remixes with Caitlin Clark, and celebration highlights.

Each video sparked viral buzz, drawing fans from across the league. She shines on TikTok with dance challenges and quick tips. Raw emotion and playful banter drive top engagement.

Partners mine platform metrics, and brands tap TikTok Analytics to watch her digital engagement skyrocket. Sponsors lock in deals through influencer marketing and brand building strategies.

Teams judge her pull with social media analytics. Advertisers spot a star with the reach of a WNBA all-star. She lands legacy talk on sports blogs and morning shows. Angel makes off-court hustle look effortless.

Public Appearances and Collaborations

Building on her media reach, Angel Reese steps into brand rooms and greets crowds. She signs deals with major sports labels and stars in ad spots. She joins Q A panels at sports camps and college events.

She appears at charity games and store openings.

Her Instagram jumps from 70,000 to over one million after her 2023 NCAA title. A viral TikTok clip shows her blocking a shot with one shoe. Sponsors chase that energy and invite her to launches.

She wears her Chicago Sky jersey at each appearance.

Future Prospects and Legacy

She eyes a WNBA All-Star nod, and she chases great stat nights like a hound on a scent. Angel plans to light up the Commissioner’s Cup stage, and she wants fans to spin her legacy into a campfire tale.

Goals for Her WNBA Career

Angel Reese aims to stand as a dominant force in the WNBA. She will build on her rookie 10.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Reese plans to earn WNBA All-Star nods year after year.

She wants to lead the Chicago Sky to a championship. She will chase triple doubles just like she did at Maryland.

Her aim is to leverage a growing social media fan base to spark youth interest. Reese wants to set fresh benchmarks after a record-breaking rookie year. She will repeat SEC all-defense honors and double-doubles on pro floors.

Her endorsements and live streams will boost women’s basketball. Next, see her Impact on Women’s Basketball.

Impact on Women’s Basketball

Building on her WNBA goals, she sparks more interest in women’s hoops. Her NCAA tournament run led her to set double-double marks. That feat and her major conference player award fueled fresh media chatter.

She also earned a top national sports prize in 2023. Fans watch angel reese highlights on social media. The Chicago Sky roster gained new spotlight as crowds tune in.

Her journey reflects a rise in women’s sports. Online her profile swelled fast, so more girls lace up sneakers. She acts as a role model for young athletes. These kids now chase big court dreams.

She shows them pro leagues can shine bright.

Takeaways

Angel Reese shines on the court, like a comet in flight. She snags rebounds and posts double-doubles with ease. Fans cheer when she roars past defenders. Mentors study game film, they fine-tune her rebounding drill.

Her rookie season on the Windy City squad rewrote stat sheets and record books. Every board she grabs lifts young ballers to dream big. Her drive feels like old school grit meets modern flair.

She targets WNBA rings and All-Star nods next. The future in front of her court glows bright, full of promise and more double-doubles to come.

For more details on Angel Reese’s age and how it plays a role in her burgeoning career, click here.

FAQs

1. Who is Angel Reese?

Angel Reese is a rising star in women’s basketball, she played guard at Saint Frances Academy, she starred for the Maryland Terrapins, she won the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award, she was a McDonald’s All-American, and she now joins the Chicago Sky.

2. How did Angel Reese make her mark in the NCAA tournament?

She rose fast in the NCAA tournament, she squared off with Caitlin Clark, she grabbed rebounds like a bulldog, she nailed clutch free throws, she led Maryland deep into March madness.

3. What awards did Angel Reese earn in college?

She was named a McDonald’s All-American, she earned WBCA All-America honors, she made the SEC All-Defensive Team, she took home the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award, she showed why she topped recruiting boards.

4. Which team drafted Angel Reese into the WNBA?

Angel Reese was picked by the Chicago Sky, she joins a roster that once had Tina Charles, she brings fresh energy and tough defense to that WNBA team.

5. What does Angel Reese bring to the Chicago Sky?

She brings power under the rim, she snatches rebounds in bunches, she sinks free throws when the heat is on, she adds hustle and heart, she aims to light up the scoreboard.

6. How does Angel Reese fit into WNBA history?

She begins her pro run in WNBA history, she could join stars like Candace Parker and A’ja Wilson, she might reshape the guard game, she sets a new bar for rookie impact.