Angel Reese entered the WNBA with confidence and conviction. Back in 2024, she boldly claimed that her legacy would be just as important as any other star’s in building the future of women’s basketball. She quickly made an impact by breaking the rookie rebounding record and proving her place in the spotlight.
Now in her second year, Reese is still being watched closely – but not entirely for the reasons she might have hoped. After a disappointing season with the Chicago Sky, tensions have surfaced within the team.
Following yet another losing campaign, Reese didn’t hold back: “I’m not settling for the same stuff we did this year,” she said, hinting at frustrations with her roster and franchise support.
Off the court, though, Reese‘s star has only risen. She launched her own signature shoe, starred in national ad campaigns, appeared on magazine covers, and even had a custom McDonald’s meal – the first of its kind for a female athlete. But some feel that her basketball performance hasn’t kept pace with the hype.
Can off-court success translate to winning on the court?
WNBA analyst Rodney Rikai shared a blunt assessment, suggesting that Reese might be leaning too heavily on her fame.
“There’s a bit of entitlement… Her success off the floor makes her feel like she is supposed to inherently have success on the court,” Rikai explained.
He contrasted Reese‘s approach with Caitlin Clark‘s, pointing out that Clark – despite missing time due to injury – consistently focused on improving and helping her teammates thrive.
Reese‘s shooting percentage has climbed to 45.8%, and her sophomore stats have improved across the board. Still, Rikai insists she needs to elevate her game further if she wants to be the kind of player who leads a team to titles – not just headlines.
With Clark out for the season, the spotlight is now firmly on Reese to prove she’s more than just a name.
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