Angel Reese‘s WNBA journey is off to a powerful but polarizing start in her second season with the Chicago Sky.

Known for her relentless hustle and rebounding dominance, Reese has quickly become a headline-grabber-though not always for the right reasons.

As expectations rise for the 2025 season, her performance on the offensive end of the court is drawing pointed criticism from analysts and fans alike.

Reese is currently averaging around nine points and 14 rebounds per game, showcasing her ability to control the glass. However, her shooting has taken a worrying downturn.

After finishing her rookie season with a 39.1% field goal percentage, she has slipped to just 33.3% this year. In today’s efficiency-focused league, those numbers have drawn concern from commentators.

Speaking on the Good Follow podcast, broadcaster Ros Gold-Onwude offered a blunt assessment: “Let’s address Angel… uh..first of all, we know Angel Reese, she works hard, and she’s crashing that glass.

“It’s not for lack of effort; she’s averaging nine points and about 14 rebounds per game, but again, the efficiency-she’s shooting even lower than she was last season, and we wanted to see improvement there.”

A particularly viral clip of Reese missing four straight close-range shots in a single possession became symbolic of her current struggles near the basket. For all her energy and aggression, finishing around the rim remains a glaring weakness.

Turnovers and shot selection fuel questions about offensive growth

Beyond shooting, Reese is also facing scrutiny over her decision-making. She’s averaging nearly four turnovers per game, contributing to the Sky’s league-high 17.2 turnovers per contest.

Gold-Onwude highlighted this in her critique, saying, “She’s shooting 30% from the field, and it’s only three games, but she’s also averaging about five turnovers a game, so for me, it’s even less about the shooting, and for me, it’s more like the decision-making for Angel.”

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These issues were on display in a matchup against the Indiana Fever, where Reese attempted 14 shots, many of them forced, and finished with a field goal percentage well below league average. Despite growing chemistry with No. 3 overall pick Kamilla Cardoso, Reese often looks to create offense solo, which can stall the Sky’s rhythm.

Still, head coach Teresa Weatherspoon remains publicly supportive. “Even though shots weren’t falling for her tonight, she had 5 assists, she had huge rebounds down the stretch,” Weatherspoon said after the Sky’s win over the Dallas Wings. “That’s the kind of versatility that we see in her, and she’s embraced it so far.”

Reese‘s defense has also improved, with an increase in steals from 1.3 to 1.6 per game, indicating growing awareness on that end. Yet, if she hopes to ascend into elite territory-joining players like A’ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart-she’ll need to become more efficient, refine her shot selection, and reduce turnovers.

Reese has the physicality, drive, and leadership potential to be a WNBA star. But for now, she’s in the middle of a steep learning curve, and how she responds may define both her season and her future in Chicago.

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