WNBA: Preseason-Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky - Source: Imagn — WNBA insider expects Angel Reese to improve in key facet where she ranked dead last after addition of Courtney Vandersloot - Source: Imagn

WNBA insider expects Angel Reese to improve in key facet where she ranked dead last after addition of Courtney Vandersloot

Modified May 15, 2025 17:58 GMT

Angel Reese enters her second season in the WNBA with high expectations. The All-Star forward will be the leader of the Chicago Sky as they try to make their way back into the postseason. The team moved on from Chennedy Carter and Marina Mabrey, but it reunited with veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot.

Moving forward, the Sky will continue to build around Reese. During her rookie season, the former LSU star set records, averaging 13.1 rebounds a game and logging 26 double-doubles last season. However, there are areas of her game that need improvement, especially when it comes to the quality of the shots she takes.

ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton highlighted the areas in which Angel Reese could improve after the addition of Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins.

"In particular, Vandersloot's playmaking ability should benefit Reese by setting her up for more easy finishes. Reese made 44% of her potential assist opportunities last season, per GeniusIQ. On self-created shots without an assist opportunity, Reese shot just 35%, producing the lowest effective field goal percentage for any player with at least 100 attempts, according to GeniusIQ."

Vandersloot's veteran presence and experience running an offense will help the younger Sky players, especially Angel Reese. She was forced to create a lot of her own opportunities last season in an offense that lacked ball movement. When she created her own shot attempts without an assist, she shot just 35% from the field, the lowest effective field goal percentage of any player in the league.

Having Vandersloot at the controls will give Reese more open looks around the basket, which the team hopes will improve her efficiency as well as her confidence. They will go as far as their All-Star takes them this season as they try to take advantage of a talented young core with veterans in key spots.

After recovering from a wrist injury that ended her rookie season five games early, Angel Reese has been busy. She was a key member of Rose BC, which won the first Unrivaled championship and helped host this year's Met Gala. The forward is one of the most popular players in the league, but she is just one of the many bright young stars looking to take the next step.

Angel Reese isn't the only second-year player with something to prove

While Angel Reese struggled to create good looks for herself last season, Caitlin Clark found playmaking difficult during her first playoff series as a pro. The Connecticut Sun hounded her during their series and it worked; Clark and the Indiana Fever offense faltered and they were sent home.

Throughout the offseason, Clark has been working in the gym and on the court to improve her physical stature so she can better handle the punishment that teams will send her way. Reese and the rest of the league have shown that they are willing to be extremely rough with Clark, trying to prove that they are just as talented as she is.

Both Angel Reese and Clark will have the chance to show off their improved skills against one another on the first day of the WNBA season. The Sky visit the Fever on Saturday do add another chapter in one of the league's newest rivalries. Reese and Clark's careers will always be connected to one another, but Saturday gives Reese a chance to prove that she isn't just an afterthought of the 2024 class.

About the author

Zachary Howell is an NBA and WNBA journalist at Sportskeeda with a degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from Syracuse University and over a year of experience in the field.

Being introduced to the digital side of content inspired Zachary to become a writer, and his love of basketball made this an obvious transition.

His favorite team is the OKC Thunder, and Zachary started following them in 2011 when they were on the rise with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. His favorite basketball players from the past are Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal. Those three came to define their eras of basketball and were dominant without beating their chests too much. Zachary is a big fan of quiet greatness and these three players are good embodiments of that.

When not writing or watching sports, Zachary enjoys reading and exercising, as well as gaming. He loves to be outside and spend time with friends and family, including his three dogs.

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