Originating from SEC rival universities, A'ja Wilson and Angel Reese find themselves a top of the WNBA player rankings.
What a week it's been for Angel Reese and A'ja Wilson. Wilson, of the Las Vegas Aces, was named Western Conference player of the week. Similarly, Reese, of the Chicago Sky, was crowned the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, including games on June 27 through July 7.
Reese, the former no. 7 overall pick, averaged 16.8 points, 14 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Although the Sky finished 2-3 over a five-game span, the rookie put up a career-high 27 points on 8-13 field goal shooting against the Seattle Storm. The game prior, "Chi-Town Barbie" notched a career-high 19 boards against the Atlanta Dream. With victories over the Storm and Dream, Reese has been relentless on the glass. Although some criticize her inability to finish at the rim, she leads the league in offense boards — by a mile. She's a fighter down below, and now she's classified in the same category as the all-time greats.
Angel Reese becomes the first player in WNBA history to put up 10 consecutive double-doubles in a single season surpassing Candace Parker (9 in 2015) pic.twitter.com/6Aac5nyzgN
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Reese has made history in multiple ways in a week filled with awkward post-game pressers and social media chatter. She totaled her 13th consecutive double-double, passing the great Candace Parker for a WNBA all-time record. Putting up such numbers close to halftime, Reese accomplished the feat by the third quarter, and against an admirable Storm team. Now halfway through the season, she finds herself deep in the Rookie of the Year conversation alongside Caitlin Clark.
With that said, Sky guard Chennedy Carter didn't hold back after a post-game presser with ION. While the Rookie of the Year award verdict is still debatable, Reese earned her first WNBA All-Star nod in her rookie season. In her increasing list of accomplishments, she becomes the first rookie to win a Player of the Week award. What's more impressive was her dominant performance against the reigning champions. It's not every day you're given the opportunity to matchup against A'ja Wilson, and Reese understood the assignment, at least offensively. In the loss against the Aces, the Sky star tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds.
"Barbie [Angel Reese] is rookie of the year, there's no other way to put it," said Carter. Named Rookie of the month in June, Reese continues to make headlines.
Leading the Aces to a 4-1 record over the period, Wilson put up a season-high 35 points on 56.5 percent field goal shooting against the Sparks on July 5. Although it was a rare overtime defeat, Wilson shot 100 percent from the charity stripe, and matched her season-high six blocks. Coming off two consecutive double-doubles, the Aces star led her squad to victories over the Dallas Wings, Washington Mystics, Indiana Fever, and Sky. A menace on the defensive end, no. 22 has 16 blocks in four games in July alone.
Taking the league by storm, Wilson's emotions from last year's MVP results have translated to success on the court. Averaging a double-double for the first time in her career, the Aces center is putting up 27 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.7 blocks. Putting up more than four points compared to last season, Wilson has added a lethal addition to her game--- a three-point shot. We are talking about a superstar who didn't hit her first three until 2022. The latest addition to her game could be something fierce.
A’ja Wilson scored 31 and extended her WNBA record for most consecutive 20-point regular season games (20).
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) June 28, 2024
Angel Reese had 18 points, 11 rebounds and tied Candace Parker’s WNBA record for most consecutive double-doubles (9).
?? @LVAces pic.twitter.com/Jrjffn1I5V
With only two deep shots in last year's finals, we've been witnessing the evolution of Wilson's pre-game three-point shots. While that's translated to the court, the Center's drawn the likes and recent attention of NBA star LeBron James and Raiders Maxx Crosby. Just last game, Wilson matched a career-high 3-4 from downtown (75 percent) against Dallas, and a masterful 31 points against the Chicago Sky. With a favorable matchup against Angel Reese, Wilson finished with 10 free throws made alone from the stripe.
From rookie to the vet, women's basketball is in great hands. We are witnessing historic seasons from both athletes, the top two rebounders in the WNBA. Earning player of the month in June and July, Wilson will look to capture her third straight award before the start of the Olympics.
A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces (13-7) will next face the Storm in Seattle on June 10. Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky(8-12) will host the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday night.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator and Manager for Ballislife Bets. She has a focus on the Women's Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration
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