NBA legend Dwyane Wade defended Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese from the criticism regarding her scoring skills while appearing on the fifth episode of her podcast “Unapologetically Angel,” which was released on Thursday, Oct. 3rd.
“You’re someone who gets your work done early.” Wade said about the WNBA star rebounding abilities. “They don’t even have time to figure out what you’re doing and why you’re getting so many rebounds. When I came to Chicago I just sat there watching. I was like, ‘oh that’s why she is so dominant at this.’“
“When a player comes in from college or anywhere you want them to at least have a strength in something,” he continued. “Yours happens to be so strong, it allows people to start commenting on things you can’t do… That’s the world that we all live in. They’re gonna talk about what they can’t do,” said the 13-time NBA All-Star.
The Chicago Sky forward finished her rookie season leading the league in average rebounds. She ended the season averaging 13.1 rebounds per game, with the second-place player securing 11.9 rebounds per game, A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces.
However, Reese averaged 13.1 points per game, which ranked at No. 2 in the rookie class, behind Caitlin Clark’s average of 19.2 points per game. Reese also finished her season early due to a wrist injury, for which she required surgery.
Clark won 2024 Rookie of The Year, Reese earned a vote
On Oct. 3rd, the WNBA finally confirmed that Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark was awarded with the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award. However, the star didn’t win unanimously, as Angel Reese got a vote.
Ahead of the final stretch of the season, both Clark and Reese were favorites for the award. However, with Reese ending her season early and the Chicago Sky failing to reach the playoffs, she lost her edge to clinch the title.
However, the forward also said in the episode that she will work on her shooting and will attempt to be a threat from the three-point line. Meanwhile, she still has to finish her recovery ahead of the next season.