Can Angel Reese Retain Star Status in WNBA? Deconstructing A’ja Wilson’s Warning to the NCAA Champion

The Louisiana State University Lady Tigers power forward Angel Reese used to play all five positions, thanks to her agility and stature. Reese, like her peers, has an extra year of college eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver. Whether she uses it to play for an extra year of basketball or decides to declare for the draft is the pressing question. But another bigger looming question is whether Reese will be able to become the star she is in the NCAA and if she will be able to carry her heroics into the women’s league.

Reese has a disappointing mock draft

Reese was projected as the number 8 overall pick in the ESPN mock draft which didn’t go well with her head coach Kim Mulkey. She labeled the draft as an “insult to” Reese as per Just Women Sports. Mulkey had further praised her mentee for being a “competitor.”  In a conversation with the WNBA legend Lisa Leslie in September this year, Reese informed her of wanting to apply to the WNBA.

“This is my senior year, and I have the opportunity to declare for the WNBA this year if I choose to,” Reese had stated. “Our ultimate goal is to win another national championship, but personally, I aspire to make it to the WNBA. While I do have the option for another year, I do want to get out of college, start life outside of school, and pursue my WNBA dreams,” Reese had remarked during the conversation.

Mulkey divulges Reese’s vulnerability

Mulkey, in one of her press-conferences during the SEC media day, had also applauded Reese and pointed out how she was working hard on her weaknesses and practicing “mid-range” shots. This also sent a signal that the 21-year-old might declare for the WNBA draft this year and was serious about forging a career with the cash-loaded league.

“Angel has been working on mid-range shots. She’s a competitor. She doesn’t want anyone to think there’s something in her game that she’s weak at. And I tell her well everybody has a weakness. That doesn’t mean you’re not gonna be a pro, that doesn’t mean you’re not gonna be great at the next level, but Angel will go and work one on one on anything that she’s either read or heard,” Mulkey stated.

This statement showed Reese’s passion and it also highlighted that the Maryland-born, just like other players, had a weakness. In the seven games she has played this season, Reese has averaged a whopping 18.3 points with 10 rebounds per match. Thus, she has averaged a double-double. She has a decent 70.3% free throw percentage and a 50% field goal percentage. What’s concerning is that she hasn’t basketed any three-pointers in all these matches, which brings back Mulkey’s revelation that Reese was working on her mid-range shots. 

The problem that plagues Reese is that she has been great at rebounding and scoring, but her shooting skill and her moves are a major concern for her. The 2x WNBA Champion A’ja Wilson had some major advice for Reese when she recently appeared in the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast.

A’ja Wilson recommends Reese to concentrate on her strength

“I have seen her rebound so much that I feel like that’s going to be her key when she gets to the league now. If she keeps that up I feel like that’s going to be huge but I think that’s what’s going to be the separating factor for her even in college is how can I get more possessions for myself but also my team so obviously she got years to grow… It’s gonna be tough and hard because her league is so tough like I can’t express that to so many people like we got some dawgs at every position and it’s hard coming in being a four and a five like it really is… But she got something to her,” Wilson stated.

Her 34 double-doubles last season were a testament to the fact that she is good at defense. Even this season, Reese has obtained four double-doubles in the seven games she has played so far. Additionally, she has displayed her steals skills with her highest coming against the McNeese Cowgirls this season (6). But will she be able to adjust in the WNBA?

Reese’s WNBA future

If she plays chiefly as a more defense-oriented player she will also have to concentrate on her ability to be a connector between layups and be an assist maker at other times. Overall, Reese can easily translate her skills at the WNBA level if she plays a game where she sticks to her strengths and orients her game around it.

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But if Reese does not get the right team and has to adjust her game, it may create some issues for her since she is not the best shooter out there. She might not be a star as soon as she enters but working on her game can bring her the glory she deserves in the WNBA. In fact, Reese would be a delight to watch in the WNBA once she focuses her skillset.

Read More: With Kansas Stumbling Out, Can Purdue Maintain Number 1 NCAA Status?