Angel Reese’s historical production during the month of June has paid off.
During June, Reese averaged 14.5 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. She secured double-digit rebounds in all 11 games during the month — the second-most consecutive games with 10+ rebounds all time. She is in sole possession of first place in rebounds per game (11.4) on the league leaderboards, per the Sky.
Reese opened the month with a then-career-high 13 rebounds on June 1 against the Indiana Fever. Then, she scored her first career 20-point game on June 12 against the Connecticut Sun. She pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds to go along with 16 points in a June 20 win against Dallas before scoring a career-high 25 points with 16 rebounds to defeat Indiana on June 23.
Furthermore, Reese is just the third rookie all-time to average at least 13.0 points and 11.0 rebounds, joining Tina Charles (2010) and Yolanda Griffith (1999). She becomes the first Rookie of the Month for the Sky since Elena Delle Donne (four times in 2013), and the second ever in franchise history to earn the honor.
Several stout competitors pushed Angel Reese to achieve greater heights in June. Her climb does not end, as the Sky have more challenging matchups ahead in July. Nevertheless, if Resee continues her play she has a chance to win another Rookie of the Month award and possibly the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year honor in the Fall.
“Excellent,” Weatherspoon declared prior to the Indiana Fever game on June 16. “You must continue playing this kind of play. If you continue this kind of play, the world will talk about it in addition to me.
Weatherspoon is aware that Reese needs to continue producing in order to win more accolades. Reese, though, has always said that she doesn’t care about recognition from others. What matters most to her is the team’s success. Nevertheless, it seemed reasonable to find out the rookie forward’s ideas on maintaining her current level of play.
One is to avoid getting into foul trouble. Just keep doing what I do,” Reese answered. “I am aware of my responsibilities every night. While I believe my offense comes naturally, I still have to make sure I defend and rebound. So I’m just doing my best to support this team. I am aware of my youth and my ongoing learning. However, they provide me the opportunity to speak up here and give me the drive I need to keep going every day, Reese added.
Reese will keep being tested to the brink and beyond. She’s only getting started with her WNBA Rookie of the Month award.
Sports writer Christopher Smith works mostly for ClutchPoints, covering the NFL, NBA, NCAA Basketball, and Chicago Sky. The native of Aurora, Illinois attended Creighton University, and he writes for FanSided and Last Word on Sports.
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