WNBA

Angel Reese makes basketball history not seen since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993

Angel Reese continues making history.

The WNBA Rookie of the Year contender had yet another 20-rebound game for the Chicago Sky in a close 82-80 loss against the Connecticut Sun on Friday night.

Reese finished with 13 points and 20 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass, more than any of her other teammates had rebounds.

Angel Reese is likely to break the WNBA's season-long rebounding record.
Angel Reese is likely to break the WNBA’s season-long rebounding record. NBAE via Getty Images

According to ESPN, she became the first player in the WNBA to record 20 rebounds in two consecutive games, and the first rookie in the WNBA or NBA to accomplish the feat since Shaquille O’Neal did with the Magic in 1993.

Tina Charles is the only other WNBA player to have multiple 20-rebound games in a rookie season after she did so in 2010.

The LSU alum shot 3-for-12 from the field but did convert an efficient 7 of 8 from the free throw line.

She also recorded two blocks on the evening.

Reese had a WNBA record 15 consecutive double-doubles earlier this season and has now recorded her fifth in a row.

The Maryland native arrived into the night’s contest averaging 13.6 points and 12.3 rebounds on the season.

Reese, who is battling Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark for Rookie of the Year, has made a compelling case with her prowess on the glass.

Angel Reese had 20 rebounds against the Connecticut Sun on Friday.
Angel Reese had 20 rebounds against the Connecticut Sun on Friday. NBAE via Getty Images

Reese now has 352 total rebounds this season, the 12th most all-time in one WNBA campaign.

She is now 52 away from Sylvia Fowles’ record 404 boards pulled down in 2018.

At Reese’s current pace, she likely will shatter that record, given that there are still 12 games left in the season.

In her record-setting year, Fowles averaged 11.9 boards per contest, a record Reese is also on pace to break.

Reese and the Sky dropped to 11-17 on the year with the loss, but if the season ended today, they would have the eighth and final playoff spot.