It’s not easy to be Angel Reese.
The Rising WNBA star has reached another stratosphere of social media and notoriety.
Only this year, Reese honored the coverage of Vogue magazine and its name was presented on McDonald’s Cups and Bags since the fast food giant announced the “Angel Reese Special”.
Friday evening, Reese delivered the first match of 20-20 in unrivaled history with 22 points and 21 rebounds to help the owls lunar of Rose Hand Napheesa Collier their first defeat in the 3-female basketball league.
It was a performance that showed to Reese that everything she does behind the scenes to improve as a basketball player materializes. There is also room for improvement – Reese committed four points before his club won the 72-63 victory.
“It’s so much that I can say. But for me, to continue, it’s difficult. It’s hard. Living my life is not easy. And I don’t want to become emotional, but that is why I put the work every day, “said Reese, holding his emotions during his post-match press conference.
“There are little girls who look at me. There are the middle school students who look at me. And just be able to be an inspiration every day – that’s why I try to continue to cross all the negativity.
“At 22, it’s hard to live this life,” added Reese. “But I am grateful. I am blessed. And being here in Increeld was the best thing for me. »»
Reese was the first WNBA rebounder at 13.1 per game as a recruit, despite its season ended prematurely due to a wrist fracture. She entered the League as already one of the most popular figures in women’s basketball after winning a national championship at LSU against Caitlin Clark and Iowa in 2023.
Playing opposite allowed Reese, choice n ° 7 of the WNBA 2024 draft, an opportunity to develop before its second season of the WNBA.
The triple WNBA champion, Chelsea Gray, the Rose captain who collected 26 points in the victory over the lunar owls, teasing Reese about rebounding the missed shots of Gray.
Rose coach Nola Henry allows Reese to be passionate and daring as a defender, while closely keeping his referee challenges … despite the insistence of Reese to use them.
Reese was even trained and encouraged by Lisa Leslie, one of the biggest to have ever played sport, who comments unrivaled games.
Mentorship already seems to bear fruit.
“I still learn. I grow up. Just be able to be a sponge, “said Reese. “I have large coaches here that I listen to and take details, and encouragement and advice. So, I just think that I am surrounded by great people who put me in the right position. »»
Reese is one of the four players on average an unrivaled double-double, with necklace, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas, who played in just three games before undergoing a leg injury.
Reese was a threat to the boards, leading the league in offensive rebounds, and ranks second in the general classification with 11.4 rebounds per game. She only hangs around Thomas, passing to necklace in the category after their match Friday evening. Necklace collected 16 points and 10 rebounds in defeat. It was his first game since Win $ 200,000 in tournament 1 against 1 Invalided Last week.
“I just have a talent for the ball. I have the mentality that everything I want in life, I will get. And it also comes, out of the field, as you can see. I manifest everything I want in life, “said Reese.
“You have to manifest whatever you want in life. I manifest that I want this ball when it leaves the edge. And if I am ahead, as a defender, I want this flight. Just be able to have this state of mind – really, really, really, really really bad. “”
Rose’s teammate, Brittney Sykes, said Reese brings a “young enthusiasm” to the court which differs from his personality out of the field.
“He is a soft and soft child, like a soft girl. But obviously, when we hit them four lines, it is a mentality of dog-chien, and she takes it to heart, “said Sykes about Reese. “She’s really good for the moment, will take the ball, having a nose for that. It is like a Windex cleaner.
Henry, a first head coach, loves the passion and investment that Reese has when she is on the ground, because each possession is important to him.
When reese has become the first unrivaled player to be ejected According to a game following two technical faults on February 1, Henry was encouraged Reese to learn and grew from experience.
“It was such a pleasure to train him,” said Henry. “She enters the same state of mind, the same mentality, every day. You know what you are going to get her. You will get a competitor. You are going to get someone who is fun, it will reduce the group in competition.
“She brings a light youth through garbage in competition and speaking, and she plays very well for us.”
Reese thrives as an imposing defender and rebounder while continuing to improve his game offensively.
The most important thing to note on the Reese game? She is just beginning.
Having potential is one thing. Reese is about to show it in something more.
“Just be able to see my growth. I put the work and many people do not see the work I put. It’s great to see him coming there, “said Reese after his performance. “Obviously, I haven’t finished yet. And this is only the beginning.
This story has been updated with new information.
This article originally appeared on USA Today: Angel Reese Statistics Tonight: Unparalleled star opens after 20-20 match
