Angel Reese has sensationally revealed that her first WNBA season is over due to a wrist injury.
Reese announced the news in a shocking statement Saturday night, but did not specify what the problem was. The Chicago Sky later said a wrist problem was the cause of the injury, but did not specify what the problem was or whether she needed surgery.
Reese, 22, wrote: “What a year! I never would have guessed the last basket of my rookie season would be a 3, but maybe that was God telling them to give them a taste of what they’ll see more of in year two.”
“I’ve always shown that I belong in this league, even when no one else believed I did. All I ever wanted was to come to the W and make an impact. I can confidently say that I’ve done that and I’ll strive to continue to do so.”
“I’m filled with emotion right now about having a season-ending injury, but I’m also filled with a lot of gratitude for what’s to come.
Angel Reese surprised WNBA fans by announcing her freshman season was over due to injury
Reese, pictured celebrating Chicago Sky’s victory on Friday night, is suffering from a wrist injury
“Although it’s God’s timing and not mine, I can finally give myself a physical and mental break. “God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers.” You’ll always see me being the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines! And Unrivaled league, see you soon!”
Reese played Friday night for the Sky as they snapped their seven-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Reese finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds for his 26th double-double of the season, a record for a rookie.
Reese made 9 of 15 3-pointers and five of his free throws.
She spoke to the media for nearly 15 minutes after Friday’s win and appeared in good spirits, making no mention of any injury.
But speaking of the team’s losing streak, Reese said emotionally: “Adversity builds character. It’s so easy to just celebrate and not get through it.”
The Chicago Sky are locked in a battle with the Atlanta Dream to qualify for the postseason playoffs, making Reese’s season-ending injury an absolute blow.
The Sky need Reese’s arch-rival Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever to help them win Sunday against Atlanta. Chicago and Atlanta are both 12-22 this season.
Reese was selected seventh overall in the WNBA draft in New York earlier this year, declaring for the WNBA after playing for LSU in college.
Along with Clark, who was the first overall pick in the draft, Reese helped elevate interest in the WNBA to a new level.
Just this week, she released the first episode of her new podcast, in which she controversially claimed that some of Clark’s fans were racist.
Her season-ending injury will end the debate over who should win Rookie of the Year, with the path now clear for Clark to take home the honor. She was already the favorite, but Reese was, by far, her closest competitor.
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