Zeal Talk Report with JGILLZ: Angel Reese is ROTY and it’s not Even Close

Written By Jalen McGill

Angel Reese

The WNBA season has been off to a fiery start over the first half of the season. The rookie class which features Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Caitlin Clark, Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink, and Alissa Pili, amongst others have been putting the league on notice, and providing the WNBA with historic viewership through the first half of the season. This rookie class has the chance to go down in history as one of the best rookie classes on and off the court. Rookie of the Year is a crowned achievement each incoming rookie has the opportunity to play for. This season, it’s been a two women race between number one pick Caitlin Clark and number seven pick Angel Reese. I’m here to tell you 3 reasons why Angele Reese is the clear cut favorite for WNBA Rookie of the Year.

1. Historic Record

Angel Reese is making history as the first WNBA player ever to record 11 straight double doubles. She recently passed two time champion and former WNBA MVP Candace Parker (9 games) to claim the record. During this historic run, Reese has been able to average 15 points and 14 rebounds while winning five out of eleven games.

2. WNBA All Star

Angel Reese was also recently selected to the WNBA All-Stars team as a rookie. Reese was selected to the team alongside fellow rookie Caitlin Clark. This marks the first time two rookies got selected since 2014. When Reese heard the news she was emotional and genuine with her response. “I’m just so happy,” she told reporters through tears. “All the work I put in, coming into this league so many people doubted me – didn’t think my game would translate and I wouldn’t be the player that I was in college … I trusted the process and I believed.”

3. BET Sports Women of the Year

Aside from dominating on the court, off the court Reese has been a staple in the African American culture. Her influence in the culture is unmatched. On the night where she broke the WNBA record for most consecutive double doubles, she also was awarded Sports women of the Year during the 2024 BET Awards.

  The race for WNBA Rookie of the Year is going to be a tight one, but the edge in my opinion should go to Angel Reese. Caitlin Clark is having a great year averaging 16 points 5 rebounds and 6 assists, but she was expected to have this type of season. She also does have a 2-1 series win against Reese in the regular season, but Reese will have an opportunity to even the odds on August 30th. Angel Reese fell to the seventh pick in the WNBA draft and was widely considered not WNBA material. The fact that she’s already making history is a phenomenal stat in its own right.

 Let’s get connected:

Instagram: Zeal Talk Upstate

Facebook: Zeal Talk Upstate

Website: www.zealtalkupstate.com