Angel Reese: The Making of a Superstar in Unrivaled
The Making of a Superstar
The Rose Basketball Club secured a hard-fought 61-55 win over Vinyl in a thriller that went down to the wire.
Chelsea Gray delivered the dagger, sinking a cold-blooded game-winner in dramatic fashion. The entire team erupted in celebration, their energy electric as they stormed the court. Meanwhile, head coach Nola Henry and veteran guard Brittney Sykes made their way to the postgame press conference, still riding the adrenaline of the win.
As Henry fielded questions, one reporter asked about forward Angel Reese’s performance. Without hesitation, Henry pulled out the stat sheet and read it aloud. “She had 16 points and 15 rebounds.”
The reaction was instant. Sykes’ face said it all—her eyes widened, eyebrows shot up, and she leaned back slightly as if she had just heard something unbelievable. It wasn’t just a good performance; it was the kind of stat line that makes you pause.
Reese wasn’t just putting up numbers—she was dominating. The disbelief on Sykes’ face wasn’t about whether Reese could do it, but rather how effortlessly she made it look. These aren’t just empty stats. They’re the kind you expect from a powerhouse in the paint, a relentless force on the boards, a player built for the biggest moments.
Reese, now in her second year, has been nothing short of dominant during Unrivaled. In that single game alone, she accounted for 35% of The Rose’s total rebounds and an astonishing 38% of the team’s offensive boards. Her presence in the paint was undeniable, controlling the glass with the same relentless energy that’s quickly becoming her signature.
Reese isn’t just putting up big numbers—she’s shaping the outcome of games, proving that her impact goes beyond the stat sheet. The scariest part? She’s only getting started.
@moreausports Angel Reese went off and almost messed around and got a 20/20 game. In 19 minutes of work, the superstar forward went for 16 Points, 15 Reb, had a game sealing steal and an assist.
The unquenchable fire
When the Unrivaled league had somewhat of a break because of their 1-on-1 tournament (for everyone that lost), and during NBA All-Star weekend, a lot of players were coming back to Miami. However, one of the first people who stayed in the gym and remained in Miami was Angel Reese.
The plane had barely touched down for her teammate Chelsea Gray, and Angel Reese was already locked in.
Gray, a WNBA champion and former Finals MVP, had just arrived back from her short break. As most players would ease their way back into things, shake off the travel fatigue, maybe take a deep breath before stepping onto the court—not Reese.
As soon as Gray got off the plane, Reese was in her face, talking and ready to get to work. She didn’t waste time with pleasantries.
“Are you ready to practice?”
Not a hello. Not a “how was your flight?” Just straight to competition. Being wired in that type of way is very unique.
Angel, who has “youthful feistiness,” as Sykes called it in the press conference, displays it every chance she gets.
That fire is what makes Reese different from most competitors. Whether it’s a game, a scrimmage, practice, or even shooting half-court shots for fun, she’s attacking it with the same relentless energy.
And at Unrivaled, that mindset is turning her into one of the league’s best players.
“Role Player”
For all the people who still think Reese is a “role player,” think again.
How many role players leave college after having a season like Reese did, where she averaged 23 points, 15.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 52% from the floor?
How many of them finish with these accolades to their name before even stepping into the pros?
- NCAA champion (2023)
- NCAA Tournament MOP (2023)
- Unanimous first-team All-American (2023)
- 2× First-team All-American – USBWA (2023, 2024)
But fine, college stats don’t matter (even though they do in the grand context of this conversation since we’re comparing her greatness to the greatness of others in the past) because plenty of players have dominant college careers and still become busts in the pros.
So, how many role players accomplish this in their rookie season in the WNBA?
- WNBA All-Rookie Team (2024)
- WNBA All-Star (2024)
- WNBA rebounding leader (2024)
- 26 double-doubles, the most in a single season by a rookie
- 15 consecutive double-doubles, the most in WNBA history
- 446 rebounds in 34 games, the most in a single season
- 13.1 rebounds per game, the highest in WNBA history
- 172 offensive rebounds, the most in a single season
- Only player with three consecutive games with 20+ rebounds
And now, Reese is playing in Unrivaled, putting up dominant performances nightly while continuing to improve her game.
@moreausports WNBA superstar Angel Reese just played her best game in Unrivaled as she scored 17 points and hit several jumpers from outside. What are your thoughts on her performance?
Primarily known as a slasher and paint finisher, Reese has expanded her game well beyond 15 to 20 feet. She’s been aggressive in seeking her shot from midrange and has also been knocking down perimeter shots from beyond the arc.
In addition, some of her best plays have come on the defensive side of the ball. Throughout the league, Reese has consistently guarded on the perimeter and has stripped some of the best offensive players, including Rhyne Howard. These steals create transition opportunities, leading to easy points for her team.
The impact she makes on the court is defined by winning plays—the kind that separate good players from great ones.
For her coaching staff, Reese embodies exactly what they want in a player: someone who doesn’t just perform but sets the tone for the entire team.
“She comes in with the same mindset, same mentality every day. She lightens the group up through competing. That lighthearted youthfulness comes through talking trash. We can’t ask her to do anything more—she shows up and gets extra work in. It’s been a pleasure coaching a player like her.”
Reese puts in the work and makes no excuses. She doesn’t rely on outside motivation because her drive comes from within. Her trash talk fuels her intensity, keeps her team engaged, and keeps her fire burning.
“I’m From Baltimore”
If you ask Brittney Sykes what makes Angel Reese special, she won’t hesitate. It’s the mentality. The edge. The Baltimore in her.
“I think who she is off the court, on the court—she’s a sweet kid, a sweet girl. But when we’re in those four lines, it’s a dog-eat-dog mentality. ‘I’m from Baltimore’—to her, that’s how they play out there.”
That’s the core of Reese’s game.
She’s not just talented—she’s relentless. Reese doesn’t only participate; she makes her presence known and felt. It’s why she crashes the glass like every rebound belongs to her. It’s why her competitive nature fuels her, and she gets energized by talking trash—then backs it up. It’s why she’s become one of the most exciting players in basketball to watch.
And it’s why her growth at Unrivaled isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the way she controls the game, leads her team, and elevates those around her.
It’s no surprise she’s getting better, and quickly at that. Reese’s Unrivaled run has made one thing crystal clear: she is a problem.
And the best part? She’s just getting started.
The fire is only getting hotter. The game is only getting sharper. And the next time she steps on the court, best believe she’ll be hunting for another big-time performance.
Because that’s what dogs do.
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