Sheryl Swoopes sidelines Angel Reese's Dennis Rodman rebounding comparison, pairs her with A'ja Wilson as top rebounders

By Tristan Rawcliffe

Modified Sep 27, 2024 04:25 GMT

Chicago Sky rookie forward Angel Reese had a historic rebounding year before suffering a season-ending injury, garnering comparisons to NBA legend Dennis Rodman. However, according to four-time WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes, Reese is a "different" kind of elite rebounder.

Reese, the 2024 WNBA draft's No. 7 pick, thrived in her rookie campaign, averaging a league-best 13.1 rebounds per game. She also temporarily set the league's single-season rebounding record before being surpassed by Las Vegas Aces superstar center A'ja Wilson.

Wilson finished the 2024 season with a record-setting 451 rebounds, five more than Reese (446). However, the three-time MVP played four more games (38) than Reese (34), whose season was cut short by a left wrist injury.

Reese's persistent effort on the boards led many to liken her to Rodman, who averaged as many as 18.7 rpg during the 1991-92 NBA season. However, according to Swoopes, Reese has a unique rebounding style.

"I know a lot of people are like, 'Angel reminds me of Dennis Rodman.' ... Dennis Rodman was crazy, but I like to try to find the female," Swoopes said on "Unapologetically Angel" Thursday.

"But there's still something very different about your rebounding. You just find a way to get the basketball. You're 6-foot-3, but you rebound like you're 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6," she continued.

Nevertheless, Swoopes added that it's a toss-up between Reese and Wilson for the WNBA's top rebounder title.

"You and A'ja, I think are, to me, the two best rebounders in the league right now," Swoopes said.

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Angel Reese heaps praise on A'ja Wilson after finishing just short of WNBA's rebounding record

While A'ja Wilson surpassed Angel Reese's short-lived single-season rebounding record, the latter doesn't appear to have any hard feelings.

During Reese's aforementioned podcast discussion with Sheryl Swoopes, she lavishly praised the two-time champion. Reese added that Wilson has become underappreciated.

"People don't give A'ja the credit she deserves," Reese said. "When others try to dim her light, she still shines through. That's what I admire about her. I love how she expresses herself on social media. But it frustrates me that people knock her down for it. She doesn't get the recognition she deserves, and I want to make sure she gets that."

While Reese and the Sky's campaign is over, Wilson and the Aces are preparing for their upcoming semifinal playoff matchup against the New York Liberty. The series marks a rematch of last year's WNBA Finals, with the Aces continuing their three-peat pursuit.

However, Reese, 22, seemingly has plenty of time to further her legacy in the coming seasons and possibly reclaim the WNBA's rebounding record.

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