Angel Reese dominated on the boards during her rookie season in the WNBA.

Though this has been the case, Reese said she has been criticized for this skill.

So, she has a message for those who have called her out — do a better job against her in the paint.

The Sky’s rookie sensation sat down with NBA legend Dwyane Wade on her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast on Thursday to talk a bit about her rookie season.

“A lot of people are ball watchers, and while they’re watching the ball, you’ve already done the work — they’re done,” Wade said. “They don’t know how to box you out because they don’t understand as soon as that ball go up, ‘I gotta locate Angel.’ And they’re not doing that. … You’re someone who [does] your work so early that they don’t even have time to figure out what you’re doing.”

Reese, whose season was cut short by a wrist injury, led the WNBA in rebounds per game (13.1), becoming the fastest player in league history ever to reach 20 double-doubles in her career.

She also set a WNBA record when she posted 15 double-doubles in a row.
Angel Reese brings down an offensive rebound during the Sky’s game against the Sparks on Sept. 6, 2024.Getty Images
Reese, on the show, said that she gets “critiqued” about her rebounding but said people should take her on before the say anything else.

“When I came into the league I just wanted to be able to grow,” she said. “And luckily I was really really good at one specific thing, which was rebounding. And I knew I had to tighten up on my offense — and [that’s] what I’m going to do in the offseason. But so many people critique me because I was a great rebounder. And sometimes, like, why don’t y’all box me out? How come y’all don’t box me out?”

She added that watching players like Wade and Dennis Rodman made her realize that playing good basketball on both end of the courts make a truly valuable player.

Reese, an All-Star in her rookie year, impressed with 13.6 points per game on the offensive end.

Though Reese did not beat Caitlin Clark for WNBA Rookie of the Year, she did secure one vote for the accolade.