In a remarkable display of athleticism and determination, Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese made WNBA history on Sunday, breaking the league’s single-season rebounding record. Despite the Sky’s 79-74 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, Reese’s performance was the highlight of the game, as she notched her 24th double-double of the season and secured her place in the record books.
Reese entered the game needing just six rebounds to surpass the previous record of 404, set by retired center Sylvia Fowles in 2018. Fowles, another LSU alum, had established herself as one of the WNBA’s all-time greats during her 15-season career with the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx. With a career total of 4,006 rebounds in 408 regular-season games, Fowles remains the WNBA’s career rebounding leader.
On Sunday, Reese dominated the boards, finishing with an impressive 19 rebounds, bringing her season total to 418 through just 32 games. This feat is even more impressive considering that the WNBA regular season was extended to 40 games last year, giving players more opportunities to set new records.
Reese, the 2024 No. 7 draft pick, has been a force throughout her rookie season. Alongside her rebounding record, she also scored 17 points in Sunday’s game. Earlier in the season, Reese set new WNBA rookie records for rebounds and double-doubles, and now she’s closing in on the overall double-double record. Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas set the current record with 28 double-doubles last season, and Reese is just five away from surpassing that mark.
Despite Reese’s individual success, the Sky have struggled since the WNBA resumed play after the Olympic break, dropping to 11-21 with their sixth consecutive loss. As they fight for a playoff spot, Reese’s historic season has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year for Chicago.
In a post-game interview, Reese revealed that she wasn’t even aware of the record she had just broken, a testament to her focus on team success over personal accolades. Still, her achievements are a testament to her talent and the bright future she has in the WNBA. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Reese as she continues to rewrite the record books and lead the Sky in their playoff push.
