Angel Reese averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in her rookie year in the WNBA. She slightly improved her point average to 14.7 in 30 games the following season. Impriessive right?

Yet, compared to the dominance Reese displayed at LSU, her scoring impact in the WNBA tells a very different story. Here are Reese's five collegiate games from 2022-23 that overshadow her WNBA numbers.

1. The Sensational Start to a Title-Winning Season

Louisiana State started its season off with a non-conference game with Bellarmine on November 7, 2022. Angel Reese had just transferred from Maryland to LSU, and she wasted no time in showing her impact.

The junior starter tallied 31 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. In her explosive 24 minutes of play, she shot 78.6% from the field, making 11 of 14. LSU finished the night at Baton Rouge with a 125-50. Compared to her first game with the Chicago Sky, Reese only made 12 points and 8 rebounds in 26 minutes played, losing to the Dallas Wings.

2. Same performance, different game

A little over a month later, on December 14th, LSU was back in Baton Rouge facing Lamar University. Kim Mulkey’s squad was on a winning streak, and Angel Reese was determined to continue it.

She displayed another 30+ point performance playing full minutes. The box score read 32 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 15 rebounds. Reese was shooting 86.7% from 2, making 13 of 15. LSU won its 10th game with an 88-42.

3. The SEC challenge

15 days after the win to Lamar, the conference games began. Angel Reese was playing in the SEC for the first time, and she was up for the challenge. In only her 7th SEC game ever, she put up another stellar performance, scoring double figures.

On January 19, 2023, LSU took on Arkansas at home. In a close 79-76, LSU edged out the Razorbacks thanks to Reese's 30 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 free throws.

In the WNBA, Angel Reese’s game high has been 26 points in a game versus the Fever, a number that would be more impressive if it weren't next to her college stats.

4. The comeback after a loss

LSU was on a 23-game win streak until it met Dawn Staley's South Carolina. After that streak-breaking loss from 4 days ago, Angel Reese pulled up against Ole Miss on February 16, with a mission to win.

Angel Reese gave her best scoring performance in the SEC with 36 points and 20 rebounds to back it up. Shooting 57.1% from the field, she made 12 of 21 field goals, handing Mississippi a 60-69 loss.

5. Round of 64: The Start of March Madness

LSU had faced its second loss to Tennessee and entered round 64 with a 28-2. The team was banking on Reese to repeat the same performance, and she delivered.

Her last 30+ point performance came in yet another home game with Hawaii on March 17th. Reese made no threes, but her 34 points and 15 rebounds covered it up. She shot 65% from the field with zero turnovers. The Tigers won 73-50 and went ahead to win the NCAA championship against Caitlin Clark’s Iowa (102-85).

Angel Reese led the women's conference in points (829), rebounds (555), two pointers (293), and field goals (294). Additionally, she set records leading the NCAA D-I in free throws (240) and total rebounds.

However, her WNBA performances are yet to match this elite efficiency. Will year 3 be any different?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi