After an impressive rookie year in the 2024 WNBA season, Chicago Sky star Angel Reese spent the offseason leveling up—and she went straight to the top for guidance. The “Bayou Barbie” linked up with WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, who helped her refine key parts of her game.
Leslie had previously mentioned on the Adrienne Ross Show that Reese had a “fixable” issue with her layups, and to her credit, Reese took the critique to heart. She started working closely with Leslie to sharpen her touch around the rim and add new layers to her already dangerous skill set.
Heading into the 2025 season, Leslie believes fans are about to witness a better, more complete version of Angel Reese.
“She’s a lefty who shoots very well on the right side. She has an excellent work ethic and she’s gonna continue to get better,” Leslie told Sports Illustrated on Friday. “But I am very confident that Angel will continue to get better and have an even better sophomore season than she did as a rookie.”
What makes Reese stand out is her comfort attacking on her non-dominant right side—a rarity among left-handed players. With Leslie, also a natural lefty, guiding her, the Sky forward looks poised to take a major leap in Year 2.
Bruised but not out: Angel Reese comes back stronger after suffering a wrist injury
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Angel Reese. Late in her rookie season, she suffered a wrist injury that not only ended her WNBA campaign but required surgery to prevent early arthritis. Despite the setback, Reese didn’t back down.
She bounced back by joining Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier’s Unrivaled League, where she balled out and earned Defensive Player of the Year. Unfortunately, the same wrist injury cut her season short once again, forcing her to miss the championship game.
But there’s good news for Sky fans—Reese is fully cleared and expected to play in Friday’s preseason game against the Brazilian National Team at LSU, her old stomping grounds.
With the 2025 WNBA season tipping off on May 17, Reese and the Sky are set to clash with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Expect fireworks, because Angel Reese is healthy, motivated, and ready to remind everyone why she’s one of the league’s rising stars.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
