The term “sophomore slump” often gets tossed around like sports cliché, but for professional athletes, particularly those under the spotlight such as Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, it’s a real hurdle. The second year isn’t just about basketball; it’s about growing into the weight of expectations, the exhaustion of a longer season, and the sharper microscope that comes with fame.
Reese, that transformation is unfolding in real time, right in the heart of Chicago. Sure, her start to the 2025 WNBA season wasn’t perfect. The viral clip of Reese missing four straight putbacks in a May 22 game against the Liberty was internet fodder for days.
Critics latched on immediately. But those who watched more closely saw something important: effort. Even in that moment, she battled relentlessly for the ball.
And shine she has. With Sky veteran Courtney Vandersloot sidelined for the season, Reese hasn’t just stepped up; she’s stepped into a new version of herself.
Most fans know her as a relentless rebounder, but few remember that Reese once played point guard in high school. Now, she’s tapping into that past, orchestrating plays and elevating teammates in ways she hadn’t before.
Her breakout performance came against the Connecticut Sun, where she registered her first-ever triple-double: 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. That stat line put her in elite company, making her just the second rookie in league history to hit that mark.
The data backs up her evolution. After averaging just 1.9 assists per game last season, she’s jumped to 3.6 this year, a +1.7 increase that ranks third in the WNBA for year-over-year assist improvement. Her playstyle now draws comparisons to Alyssa Thomas, a power forward known more for her court vision than scoring. It’s a new identity for Reese, and one that could make her even more dangerous as her confidence grows.
Clark’s second season
On the other side of the rookie-sensation-to-sophomore-leader equation stands Clark. Before being sidelined by a groin injury, the Fever guard was mired in a cold shooting streak, just 13-of-47 from the floor in her last three games, and an alarming 1-of-23 from deep.
Still, even with the shots not falling, Clark’s passing has remained elite. She dished 10 assists against the Las Vegas Aces, nine against Golden State, and kept up the tempo in Seattle. She’s currently averaging 8.5 assists per game, a mark that places her among the WNBA’s top playmakers.
Some of her shooting slump may stem from the groin injury that sidelined her. Fans had speculated for weeks about her movement and discomfort before it became official.
But regardless of health, Clark’s command of the offense hasn’t slipped. Her precision passing keeps Indiana’s offense fluid, and that’s no small feat for a second-year player facing massive pressure.
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