The much-anticipated face-off between two of the top 10 WNBA Draft picks fell short of delivering the expected excitement for basketball fans.
On May 30, the Chicago Sky took on the Los Angeles Sparks at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, with Angel Reese, the No. 7 draft pick, facing off against Cameron Brink, the No. 2 draft pick.
Despite the hype, both players had limited statistical impact.
According to The Daily Mail, the Sky clinched their first home victory of the season by defeating the Sparks, 83-73, bringing their record to 3-3.
Meanwhile, the Sparks fell to a 2-5 record for the season.
Fans had hoped for a thrilling performance from Reese and Brink, who was selected just behind top pick Caitlin Clark, but their stats for the game were modest.
Reese played 25 minutes, scoring six points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out three assists. Brink logged 23 minutes, posting similar numbers with seven points, six rebounds, and two assists.
On May 28, Reese achieved her first professional double-double in a game against the Seattle Storm.
Despite the Sky’s loss, she recorded a career-high 12 rebounds, scored 11 points, provided three assists, and made two steals, as reported by The Bleacher Report.
Reese is adapting well to her rookie status.
On May 25, during a game against the Connecticut Sun, she was knocked down by Alyssa Thomas in a very physical play. Despite the rough treatment, Reese remained resilient and discussed the incident post-game with the New York Times.
“It’s not just because I’m a rookie. I’m a player. I’m a basketball player. They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. I mean, I want them to come at me every day. I want them to come at everybody. I mean, they’re not supposed to be nice to me. I hope y’all know that. They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie. Like, thank you AT (Alyssa Thomas) for sending a message to me…” she said.
With her determination and resilience, Reese continues to prove herself as a formidable presence on the court, contributing significantly to the Chicago Sky’s efforts this season.
