Angel Reese's Rookie Year Ends With Injury

Former LSU star Angel Reese's rookie season has come to an early end after she suffered a wrist injury in a September 6th game against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Chicago Sky rookie announced the injury on social media to her 4.1 million followers.

Reese was the 7th pick in the WNBA draft earlier this year, but quickly rose to the top of a historically deep class featuring star talents like Cameorn Brink and Caitlin Clark. Her rivalry with Clark, developed during their college careers at LSU and Iowa, became a main storyline in the WNBA this season. The league surged in popularity due in large part to interest in Reese and Clark and their budding professional rivalry. Clark was heavily favored to win Rookie of the Year coming into this season as the top draft pick, but Reese challenged her for the honor especially headed into the Olympic break in July, when she set a WNBA record with 15 straight double double games.

Reese's historic rookie campaign ends with an enviable stat line, averaging a double-double with a season average of 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. She was named to the All Star team in July and notched 26 double-doubles over the course of her shortened season, just two away from the league record set last season by Alyssa Thomas.

The Chicago Sky are currently eighth in league standings and clinging to the final playoff spot as the final week of the regular season approaches. Reese promised to, "be the biggest cheerleader on the sideline." They will look for fellow rookie Camilla Cardoso to step up in Reese's absence.

In the meantime, Reese reaffirmed her commitment to play in Breanna Stewart's new 3x3 league in January after taking, "a physical and mental break," as she sets her sights on year two in the W.

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