Chicago Sky celebrity Angel Reese entered the WNBA and instantly broke the single-season rebound report. Now, she’s incomes Corridor of Fame comparisons.
Former NBA guard Jeff Teague is able to anoint Reese as the perfect rebounder in WNBA historical past, saying she’s the league’s Dennis Rodman.
“I’m saying her complete total recreation is Dennis Rodman” Teague stated in an look Monday on the Membership 520 podcast. “Her complete model, all the pieces. Dennis Rodman was the largest participant off the courtroom. He was a f—-ing star and he was a menace on protection and rebounding. She is the Dennis Rodman of the WNBA.”
“I’m being severe, she’s Dennis Rodman of the WNBA,” he added. “She’s a celebrity off the courtroom, however her recreation is Dennis Rodman on the courtroom.”
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Reese is barely in her second season within the W, so it could be untimely to begin making historic comparisons, however Teague’s reasoning is sound. Reese’s 446 rebounds final yr toppled Sylvia Fowles’ earlier report of 404 (A’ja Wilson even topped Reese final yr, knocking down 451 boards). This season, the Sky star is averaging 12.3 boards by seven video games to go along with three double-doubles.
Her total scoring is down so removed from her rookie yr (9.1 PPG) however Rodman solely averaged double figures scoring as soon as himself.
Reese’s critics will knock her for piling up the offensive rebounds by lacking so many pictures near the rim and being in place to scrub them up. There’s validity there. Reese operates principally within the put up and remains to be solely taking pictures 31 % from the sector — down from final yr (39 %).
However it’s nonetheless early, each on this season and in Reese’s profession. For now, she’s proven a relentlessness on the glass, and has been undaunted going up in opposition to larger competitors — generally to her personal detriment. Moreover, gamers enhance over time. Given how slowly many WNBA rookies begin their careers, she remains to be approach forward of the curve as somebody who was an impression participant from day one.