Angel Reese breaks WNBA single-season rebound record: Knew it would ‘translate right away’

The WNBA’s top rebounder now owns the league record in the category. 

Angel Reese set the single-season rebounding record by pulling down her 405th of the season during Sunday’s 79-74 Chicago Sky loss to the Minnesota Lynx. 

Reese surpassed Sylvia Fowles for the record. 

The rookie star out of LSU has been leading the league in rebounding by averaging 13.1 per game through 32 games this year.

“Offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds is something I knew I can always do,” Reese said after the game. “I knew it was going to translate right away. That’s something that a lot of players don’t want to do. A lot of people think it’s because I get my own rebounds, but statistically, it’s not.” 

Reese finished Sunday’s game with 19 rebounds – 12 of which came on the defensive glass while the other seven were on the offensive side of the floor.

“A lot of people think I’m the tallest on the court when I’m not the tallest on the court,” Reese continued about the accomplishment. “Just being able to go down there and being able to bang. Doing things that a lot of people don’t want to do. Defense and rebounding wins championships and I’ve won championships at every level by just doing that. 

“Coming into the league before I sharpened up on my offensive things, just being able to come in and have that on my shoulder is something that I can always do and I knew would translate.”

Reese has been in the running for WNBA Rookie of the Year honors along with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who has also set several records this season. 

The Sky and Fever faced off with one another on Friday and Reese recorded 11 rebounds in the game to surpass Tina Charles for most double-doubles by a rookie with 23. 

Chicago is currently sitting in eighth place in the WNBA, holding onto the league’s final playoff spot by a half-game over the No. 9 Atlanta Dream.