Can you be an elite WNBA player while shooting less than 30 percent from the field and less than 20 percent from the 3-point line?
Angel Reese is trying.
The third-year forward, taken in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft out of LSU, is making an impact on the court with her rebounding. However, her shooting percentages are absolutely dreadful, especially as of late. After Sunday's overtime loss to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, Reese is shooting less than 30 percent from the field during a recent stretch of play.
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images.
Over her last four games, Reese is shooting:
- 29.1 percent from the field
- 14.3 percent from the 3-point line
- 70.8 percent from the free throw line
Reese can be a great player, but not when she's shooting like this
Reese is an elite rebounder and a highly active player. However, her shooting percentages simply have to improve. The majority of Reese's shots come around the rim. You can't be missing as many layups as she does and still be a valuable, productive player - no matter how many rebounds you get.
Ultimately, if Reese is going to become a top-tier WNBA player, she's going to need to drastically improve her shooting ability. Even if she could just make half of the layup attempts she gets at the rim, that would be a drastic improvement.
Reese is only in her third year, so there's time for her to improve, but these shooting issues have persisted throughout her basketball career. This might just be the kind of player she is. And that's OK, but it will prevent her from being a truly elite WNBA forward.
