WNBA GM's honest Angel Reese take will fire up fans

LSU women's basketball star Angel Reese has become a WNBA draft prospect with a mix of strengths and weaknesses, according to league scouts and general managers. Following the LSU women's basketball team's' unsuccessful attempt to defend their title, ending in a 94-87 defeat to Iowa in the Elite Eight on Monday, Reese revealed her transition to the WNBA in a Vogue article on Wednesday.

Reese's journey with LSU has been impressive. As a national champion, the SEC Player of the Year and the most outstanding player of the 2023 Final Four, her achievements speak volumes of her impact on the court. Throughout her final season, Reese's statistics were a testament to her prowess, averaging 13.4 rebounds and 18.6 points per game, and securing double-doubles in 27 out of 33 games played.

WNBA general managers and scouts, while split on certain aspects of Reese's game, unanimously agree on her exceptional athleticism and relentless spirit.

“She just has a relentless competitive spirit,” one WNBA evaluator said, per Katie Barnes of ESPN. “She was impacting the winning. There's a lot there, and I think she's definitely a WNBA athlete.”

Reese's defensive versatility is another attribute that has not gone unnoticed. Tasked with guarding players significantly taller than her, including Kamilla Cardoso and Lauren Betts, Reese demonstrated her ability to leverage her strength and length, earning her the reputation of a two-way player capable of making substantial contributions on both ends of the court.

“She's just deadly in the paint,” a WNBA general manager said. “She's also very effective even when she's got a bigger player on her because she can go around them because of her athleticism and her quickness. She doesn't mind getting hit. She can get hit and finish with two people hanging on her … “She does what she does She's a tremendous rebounder. She gets to the free throw line. She has a high IQ and can impact your defense.”

At 6-foot-3, Reese has showcased her defensive versatility at LSU by effectively guarding players taller than herself, such as 6-7 Kamilla Cardoso from South Carolina and 6-7 Lauren Betts from UCLA, leveraging her strength and reach despite a height disadvantage against larger centers.

“She's what I would call a two-way player,” another general manager said. “She's going to defend on one end, she's going to rebound on both ends and she's going to score.”

Reese draws inspiration from A'ja Wilson and Candace Parker, evident in her style of play, from sporting a single-leg sleeve, a nod to Wilson, to demonstrating agility with fast breaks similar to Parker. She excels in passing and ball handling for her position

Transition to the WNBA could be a challenge for Angel Reese

Despite the accolades and the undeniable impact, Reese's transition to the WNBA will not be without its challenges. Her shooting beyond the paint requires improvement. Playing as a center at LSU, Reese's height positions her on the smaller side for the WNBA, where centers like 6-9 Brittney Griner and 6-7 Teaira McCowan dominate. Her transition to a power forward role in the WNBA, a position that increasingly demands perimeter shooting, is anticipated.

“I wish she had more range on her shot,” said a general manager. “I think that's something that she needs to add.”

“Adding depth to her game beyond 10 feet is crucial if she intends to play as a power forward professionally,” added another evaluator. “She needs to refine her free throws and outside shooting.”

Reese attempted to diversify her shot selection this season but recorded a 1-for-9 three-point shooting and a 72.6% free throw accuracy. In her final LSU appearance, she shot 33.3% from the field and 37.5% from the free-throw line.

Additionally, her physical style of play, while effective, has raised concerns. Instances such as the SEC championship game against South Carolina, where Reese's competitiveness boiled over into physical altercations, have led some to question her sportsmanship.

“Some of the stuff she does is disrespectful to the game,” a general manager said.

Despite these hurdles, Reese is determined to evolve and adapt. Acknowledging the step up to the WNBA as a challenge she is eager to meet, Reese told Vogue, “I'll be working with grown women. I'll be working with women that have kids, women that have a family to feed. I'm going to have to work my butt off every single day and grind. And who wouldn't want that? I don't want anything in my life to be easy.”