Angel Reese’s night just kept getting better.
The rookie forward was reportedly named a WNBA All-Star after Reese’s 85-77 win over the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, extending her double-double streak to 11.
“We won today, but everyone called me an All-Star. I’m really happy,” an emotional Reese, who contributed to the win with 19 points and 12 rebounds, told reporters after the game.
“I know how much work I’ve put in. When I came to this league, a lot of people doubted me, thought my game wouldn’t work, I wouldn’t be the player I was in college, I’d be better, I’d be worse, I wouldn’t be who I am now, but I trusted and believed in the process,” Reese added.
The Sky forward, who just made WNBA history by recording her 10th double-double in Sunday’s win over the Lynx, was named Rookie of the Month for June.
She averaged 14.5 points, 13.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 11 games en route to earning the honor.
“Write your story. Prove yourself in front of others.” Reese wrote to X after being selected to the All-Star team.“Just be yourself. Don’t worry about what anyone says or what anyone thinks. Just be yourself and everything will be fine! #blessed.”
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark averaged 16.2 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds entering Tuesday’s game, leading the way for the 12-member WNBA All-Star team.
“I know everybody’s excited, but I hope it doesn’t take away from everybody else,” Clark said of her and Reese’s All-Star nominations after the Fever’s 88-69 loss to the Aces. “This is a huge accomplishment for everyone on Team USA and Team WNBA. Everyone deserves the same accolades. I don’t want any of them to fall short and become the focus of All-Star Weekend, because that would be unfair to them.”
“I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to go back there again, so I’m going to enjoy the experience.”
Clarke and Reese, the No. 1 and No. 7 picks in the 2024 WNBA Draft, are the team’s only first-time All-Stars.
The rookie sensation missed out on a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, but now will be their time to show their commitment.
Perhaps the soon-to-be teammates can accomplish something together that will be far different than the on-court rivalry they had during their collegiate days at Louisiana State and Iowa.
Clark, the WNBA Rookie of the Month for May, received the most votes (700,735), while Reese finished fifth (381,518).
These two are clearly the favorites for the Rookie of the Year title.
As part of the All-Star festivities, ESPN will air the Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest on July 19 at 6pm ET.
The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game will take place on July 20 at 8:30 pm ET from the Footprint Center in Phoenix and will be broadcast on ABC.
