Let’s face it: basketball fans everywhere have been loving Angel Reese in the WNBA. The former LSU sensation was drafted 7th overall by the Chicago Sky in 2024. During her rookie season, she’s racked up quite a few accomplishments and set a number of records. Essentially, the basketball player has everyone cheering for the Bayou Barbie.
However, before Angel entered the league, she feared the veteran players wouldn’t like her. During her conversation with women’s basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes on her podcast, the Sky rookie broke it all down.
“When I came into the league, I was scared.”
As she continued, Angel said she assumed others wouldn’t like her because of all the noise surrounding her. “I just thought they were going to treat me like crap,” she said. Angel then referenced an early game in her career in which Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun committed a foul against her, knocking her to the ground. “I was like, ‘Oh yeah, they hate me here.'”
Angel Reese Says WNBA Vets Made Her Feel ‘Comfortable’
Although Angel Reese thought she’d have a hard time playing professional women’s basketball, she noted one specific moment that changed her mind.
“When I went to the draft, that kind of changed my perspective,” she said.
Angel, who led the WNBA in rebounds in 2024, continued, saying some veterans made her feel “comfortable.”
“I met Nneka [Ogwumike], Satou [Sabally], and Dearica [Hamby]—they made me feel really welcome,” she explained. “That’s what changed my whole thing and made me feel really comfortable in this league. And maybe that’s why I play so comfortable, because I felt comfortable.”
Angel’s historic rookie season ended in early September 2024 when she announced she would be forced to miss the remainder of the year due to an injury. “All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact,” she wrote online. “I can confidently say I have done that and will strive to keep doing so.”
During her run, Angel broke the WNBA record for most consecutive double-doubles (15) and became the first player in WNBA history with three consecutive 20-plus rebound games. Even though her journey was cut short, Angel fans can watch her in January when she takes the court in a new 3×3 league, Unrivaled.
