An already star-studded 2024 WNBA draft class got another big name Wednesday when LSU forward Angel Reese announced in an interview with Vogue's Leah Faye Cooper she's leaving college behind.
Reese reached incredible heights with the Tigers. A two-time All-American and the 2024 SEC Player of the Year, she helped LSU win its first-ever national title in 2023 and was the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament in the process.
The numbers also speak for themselves. In her two seasons in Baton Rouge, she averaged 20.9 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 50.1 percent from the floor.
However, Reese's lack of shooting range raises some questions as to her ceiling in the WNBA, and she's neither an elite scorer nor a formidable rim protector in the paint. As a result, she may have to wait until after the lottery to hear her name called by commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Surveying the first round of the draft, these three teams are Reese's strongest fits.
Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky are finally embarking on the rebuild they should've initiated last offseason after losing Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley.
From a long-term perspective, the roster is pretty much a blank slate with only Marina Mabrey, Lindsay Allen and Sika Koné signed past 2024. Sure, Reese would have to experience a lot more losing than she was accustomed to at LSU, but she'd have every opportunity to prove herself to first-year head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.
Beyond that, Chicago is a massive market desperate for a bona fide star to lead the Sky into the future. The Windy City is a setting where Reese could flourish on and off the court. She'd be the face of the franchise for a long time to come.
Washington Mystics
Like the Sky, the Washington Mystics were left to pick up the pieces after losing key starers. Natasha Cloud signed with the Phoenix Mercury and Elena Delle Donne took a sabbatical from basketball.
Washington isn't bottoming out quite to the degree Chicago is, but the playoffs might be a long shot for a veteran-laden roster without a true No. 1 scoring option.
In terms of the future, a number of players on the squad probably won't be around when the Mystics are in a position to contend again. Stefanie Dolson, for example, returned to the nation's capital on a two-year deal but may not be more than a rotational big for the duration of her contract.
Reese and center Shakira Austin don't complement one another perfectly on offense because they both operate close to the hoop. Austin's post defense would, however, cover for some of Reese's deficiencies on that end of the floor.
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx were a below-average rebounding team in 2023 despite Napheesa Collier finishing seventh in the league in boards. The team ranked eighth in total rebounding rate (49.0 percent), per WNBA.com.
Scoring inside wasn't a strength for the Lynx, either. They averaged 13 makes per game inside five feet, which was eighth-best in the WNBA, and shot 57.5 percent from that range, which was only 10th.
Reese could help address both facets.
Since they don't have a clear area of positional need, the Lynx could choose to take more of a risk with Australian forward Nyadiew Puoch. Like Ezi Magbegor with the Seattle Storm, Puoch could sit on the periphery early in her WNBA as she gets adjusted to the league and playing in the States.
Reese would provide head coach Cheryl Reeve with more of a sure thing, albeit a prospect who may not have Puoch's potential.
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