Case File No.24: Angel Reese

Angel Reese (10). Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports.

Today, I dive into the case file of Angel Reese. Her season got off to a rocky, controversial start, I'll dabble into that a little later, but she has bounced back since then. Now, let's take a look at the game of the current NCAA Women's champion and potential lottery pick of the 2024 WNBA draft. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Position: Forward

HT: 6-3

College: LSU

Class: Senior

Credentials:

NCAA champion (2023)

NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2023)

First-team All-SEC (2023)

First-team All-Big Ten (2022)

SEC All-Defensive Team (2023)

Big Ten All-Defensive Team (2022)

Strengths:

-Two-way player

-Energetic

-Rangy 

-Handles the ball well, can keep her dribble in traffic 

-Aggressive attacking the basket

-Has a good face-up and low post game

-Uses unique angles and maneuvers to make difficult shots in the paint

-Good shot blocker

-Good individual and team defender

-Can guard multiple positions

-A monster on the boards

Weaknesses:

-Too reliant on the low post and facing up

-Questions whether or not she can shoot

-Shaky from the stripe

-Rushes her shot at times

-Issues that had her briefly away from the team could be seen as a character issue

Final Analysis:

Angel is a two-way player who is a walking double-double and can score from attacking the basket, facing up, or the low post. She handles the ball almost like a point guard. She has a nose for the ball when crashing the boards. 

Defensively, she's a great individual and team defender, willing to double team and rotate on plays, and can guard multiple positions. She brings hustle and high energy that spreads amongst her teammates.

She overly relies on the aforementioned weapons in her arsenal and she seems to shy away from taking jump shots. There's nothing wrong with those moves and of themselves, but when a player relies on them too much, they tend to be mediocre or poor shooters. It will at least make you question if they can shoot.

An issue, possibly a personal matter that caused her to be away from the team earlier this season can, and in some cases, will be seen as a character issue and will make some teams leery.

Overall, my hope is that she can keep her head in the game and stay focused. I think she is a special talent who can develop into a once-in-a-lifetime talent. From a talent standpoint, she reminds me a lot of Giannis Antetokounmpo. From what I saw, I think she's a lottery pick, but I think she will make teams seriously regret it if they pass her up.