Chicago Sky rookie sensation Angel Reese made WNBA history on Sunday, recording her 13th consecutive double-double in her team’s 84-71 loss to the Seattle Storm. With 17 points and 14 rebounds, Reese surpassed the previous record of 12 consecutive double-doubles held by the legendary Candace Parker, achieved across the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Reese’s performance has been nothing short of remarkable. In just 20 games, she has reached the 275-point, 225-rebound, and 30-steal threshold. This feat has only been accomplished faster by Yolanda Griffith, who did it in 19 games in 1999. Reese now boasts 14 double-doubles for the season, tying her for fifth-most all-time for a rookie. The record for a first-year player stands at 22, set by Tina Charles.
Candace Parker, a two-time WNBA champion who played two seasons for the Sky and led them to their only title in 2021, has been a significant influence on Reese. The rookie has admired Parker’s game for years and has even developed a relationship with Parker’s mother.
Reese’s shooting on Sunday was efficient, going 8-for-15 from the floor. Although she faced struggles with her efficiency earlier in the season, she has managed to shoot at least 50% in six of Chicago’s past 11 games.
Selected as the No. 7 draft pick after a stellar career at Maryland and LSU, where she won the national title in 2023, Reese has quickly made her mark in the WNBA. Last week, she joined Caitlin Clark as the only rookies to be named 2024 All-Stars. The duo, both front-runners in the Rookie of the Year race, will team up for Team WNBA to face the U.S. Olympic squad in the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game.
Despite Sunday’s loss, the Sky remain in the playoff picture, holding onto the eighth spot in the standings. Reese’s historic performance and consistent excellence provide a bright spot for the team’s playoff hopes and the future of the franchise.
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