Angel Reese isn’t a finished product — and the Sky are betting big on her growth

That includes Angel Reese, who pretty much seemed like one in an outstanding rookie campaign, shattering the WNBA’s double-double streak record, earning an All-Star nod, and leading the league in rebounding.

As she enters her sophomore season, one area for growth stands out.

“How you shoot your layups — period — we’re gonna fix that,” retired WNBA legend and mentor Lisa Leslie told Reese on her podcast, when Reese asked for advice.

Reese’s layup efficiency — 44.5% at the rim last season — ranked at the bottom of the league. Commentators often point to her shot mechanics: a lower release point, inconsistent follow-through, and limited wrist action to guide the ball.

But the biggest opportunity lies in what happens before the shot goes up. Better footwork, balance, and elevation will create the conditions for cleaner finishing. 

“It’s about learning your base,” Sky director of player development David Simon told The Next at training camp when discussing Reese’s development.

She already shows the raw tools — look no further than her vertical on the glass. However, adjusting to the WNBA’s physicality takes time. Even elite rookie bigs usually see a dip in efficiency from their college averages.

Reese was no exception. 

Except, of course, in all the ways that she was.

As a rookie, she took more than nine shots at the rim per game — nearly triple what her idol A’ja Wilson took in her first year. And many of these “layups” were actually extremely difficult shots through traffic. 

That volume highlights another area for growth: decision-making.

Already in training camp, Simon sees a shift. On one possession, Reese pulled down an offensive rebound over three defenders. Instead of forcing a shot, she kicked it out to reset. It’s a small sign she’s learning her base: playing with more balance, patience, and control around the rim.

Your business can reach over 3 million women’s sports fans every single month!

Here at The Next and The IX, our audience is a collection of the smartest, most passionate women’s sports fans in the world. If your business has a mission to serve these fans, reach out to our team at editors@thenexthoops.com to discuss ways to work together.

Marsh’s impact: modernizing the offense and extending Reese’s game

Improvement in her sophomore season isn’t just about Reese adjusting. It’s about the Sky adjusting around her.

Last year’s offense was clogged and predictable, and Marsh expects to change that. As an assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces, he helped implement their pace-and-space system that influenced the style of play around the league.

This offseason, the Sky added three projected starters to help space the floor: Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins, and Rebecca Allen. They combine for 7.5 more threes per game — and 18 more years of WNBA experience — than last year’s starting group.

At training camp, Reese called their arrival a “breath of fresh air.” She also emphasized the value of playing alongside elite point guards — first Chelsea Gray at Unrivaled, and now Vandersloot. More spacing and structure should help her simplify decisions.

The next step: stretching her game.

Marsh’s bigs in Las Vegas had range. The Aces’ frontcourt averaged five three-point attempts per game during their back-to-back title runs; last year’s Sky team averaged just one. 

Developing into a positionless threat doesn’t happen overnight, though. Wilson didn’t start shooting threes regularly until her fifth season. Dearica Hamby began adding it in her fourth. The good news for Reese: both players saw their growth accelerate under Marsh — and both made major gains at the rim in Year 2.

Tune in to Locked On Women’s Basketball

Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.

Listen now!

Why Reese’s efficiency matters more in Chicago

On some level, hyper-focusing on Reese’s finishing misses her essence. Even in college, her efficiency lagged behind other stars. Her value is in the breadth of her impact: forcing turnovers, drawing fouls, and energizing teammates.

But the scoring math is hard to ignore. If she matched her college field goal percentage (49.8%) in the WNBA, she’d boost her scoring average from 13.6 to 16.2 points per game. That’s the difference between a key contributor and one who can help carry a team.

And right now, the Sky need carriers.

The Sky only have one other player who averaged double figures last season — Ariel Atkins, whose contract expires after this season.

So the big question for Year 2: will Reese grow into a centerpiece, or settle in as a complementary star?

The answer won’t just define her trajectory. It will define the Sky’s.

When Marsh says he wants players to feel like unfinished products in Chicago — a line he’s repeated since he was hired — it’s more than just coaching philosophy. It’s a recruiting pitch. He’s selling Chicago as a place where players can grow into stars.

This season, the league’s top talent will be watching. How Reese evolves could help determine whether the Sky become a true free agency destination in 2026.