Kyle Kuzma stands up against Angel Reese

Kyle Kuzma stands up against Angel Reese’s haters (Photo Credits: GETTY)

The WNBA’s 2024 rookie class has been divisive among the fans and Angel Reese is perhaps the finest example of this. The Chicago Sky rookie’s play on the court has grabbed the attention of admirers and haters who endlessly argue about her effectiveness.

While the noise from her detractors is loud, Reese has found an ally in the form of an NBA champion. Kyle Kuzma, who won a title with the LA Lakers in 2020, voiced his support for the WNBA rookie on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On Monday, Kuzma tweeted this about Reese:

“Yeah y’all hating she a beast. Offense gonna come can’t teach the motor.”

Reese’s supporters have raved about her rebounding ability and how that makes her a threat to register a double-double every night. Meanwhile, her detractors have attacked her sub-40% shooting percentage and pointed out that many rebounds are from grabbing her misses.

However, Rebecca Lobo, who used to play in the WNBA and is now an analyst, laid out the facts regarding Reese’s offensive boards. Lobo shared Reese leads the league even without the offensive rebounds from her misses.

So far, Reese is leading the league in offensive rebounds with 152. Of those, 53 have come from her misses. If those 53 were taken away, she would still be ahead of Aliyah Boston, who is second in offensive rebounds with 89.

Angel Reese has tied Tina Fowles for the most double-doubles by a rookie

In 2010, Tina Charles recorded an impressive 22 double-doubles as a rookie. This record, which has stood for over a decade, is now on the verge of being broken by Angel Reese.

With 11 points and 22 rebounds in the Sky’s Aug. 25 matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, Reese tied Charles’ record. With 11 more games left in the Sky’s record, it is almost certain that Reese will break this record and surpass it by several games.

Reese tied the WNBA’s record for most double-doubles by a rookie. She also became the first player in the league’s history to grab 20 or more rebounds in three consecutive games.

Before the Aces game where she logged 22 boards, Reese grabbed 20 rebounds against the Phoenix Mercury (Aug. 18) and the Connecticut Sun (Aug. 23). Reese’s next chance to break the record for most double-doubles by a rookie will be Wednesday (Aug. 28) when the Sky take on the Washington Mystics.