Since her arrival in the WNBA, Angel Reese has made her presence felt. Despite often facing criticism for her performances at the professional level, she has consistently risen above it, delivering standout games that are gradually establishing her as one of the league’s most promising stars.
Some of her most electrifying battles have come against Tyler Mash. Whenever they share the court, sparks fly, as both possess the skill and determination to lead their teams to victory in head-to-head matchups.
Given the growing attention surrounding these duels, Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Mash recently spoke about his player.
There’s only one A’ja, there’s only one Phee, and there’s only one AT.”… “And I think Angel is on her way to create that there’s only one Angel in a lot of respects.
An uneven yet balanced rivalry
Reese entered the WNBA in 2024, making this season her second year as a professional. Yet she has quickly maximized the skill set that made her a collegiate standout.
So far, Angel averages 4.4 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. By comparison, veteran Alyssa Thomas, one of the league’s most versatile players-posts 5.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.2 assists. Their efficiency and mobility make both central to their teams’ success, while also allowing them to shine individually.
At this stage, Reese is proving to be just as impactful as Thomas was early in her career. Meanwhile, Thomas is now playing at her peak, a level Mash hopes his young player can soon reach.
For Mash, Thomas serves as a model for Reese, someone she should continue to emulate to elevate her game on the court.
Rising quality and efficiency from Reese
Through her first two WNBA seasons, Reese has shown steady improvement as the games accumulate. Her shooting has reached a higher level, giving Chicago an added dimension on offense. Refinement in her overall play has translated into increasingly strong performances that highlight her upward trajectory.
This was evident in Chicago’s recent matchup against the Liberty, where Reese once again demonstrated her growing importance and the budding rivalries she is forging around the league.
I want to play with the best.”…”They’re here, obviously, in Phoenix, but I would love Kah [Copper] to come back to Chicago and trying to recruit, and even just being able to take small things from them. I’ve learned a lot from them. I asked them about how their experience in USA Basketball, because that’s something I want to do in 2028. So just picking their brains. Picking their minds, and I think it’s really important to build a relationship with other people I respect. I respect their game. But yeah, I think it’s really important to have vets that you can look up to.
Reese said.
For Angel, Alyssa Thomas is both an inspiration and a rival she wants to surpass. Her ambition is to continue proving her talent while aiming for a spot on the United States basketball team for the 2028 Olympic Games.
If Reese keeps raising her level as expected, the Chicago Sky will have a cornerstone for their ambitions, and she could soon enter the conversation for league MVP honors.
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