A Tale of Two Rookies
Reese and Clark both entered the 2024 WNBA season with huge expectations. Clark, the No. 1 overall pick, brought her deep shooting and playmaking from Iowa, while Reese, known for her size, rebounding, and swagger, came in with championship credentials from LSU.
For a player whose offensive role is heavily reliant on finishing around the rim, this inefficiency is not just a concern — it’s a crisis.
The Numbers Behind the Noise
In a recent viral breakdown, basketball analysts pointed out how true shooting percentage, a stat that combines field goals, three-pointers, and free throws, is often the clearest indicator of scoring efficiency. While veterans like A’ja Wilson, Jonquel Jones, and Brittney Griner thrive in this category, Reese’s numbers are more in line with struggling role players — despite having the physical profile of a dominant post player.
Meanwhile, Clark, who entered the league with questions about how her game would translate to the pros, is already performing at All-Star levels. She’s 13th in the league in three-point percentage (33.9%), fourth in two-point field goal percentage, and second in free-throw shooting at a staggering 90.9%. Even while carrying the offensive burden of a rebuilding team, her efficiency mirrors that of seasoned professionals.
The Internet Reacts — And So Does Angel Reese
When the efficiency rankings dropped, so did the hammer on social media. Commentators, fans, and analysts didn’t hold back. Some questioned whether Reese’s college dominance was more a product of system and athleticism than polished skill. Others called for patience, arguing that most rookies take time to adjust to the speed, physicality, and spacing of the pro game.
Why This Matters: Playing Time and Career Trajectory
In the WNBA, where rosters are small and roles are earned, shooting efficiency determines minutes. Coaches simply can’t afford to keep players on the court who are liabilities on the offensive end — especially bigs who fail to finish high-percentage looks inside.
Reese’s current trajectory has drawn comparisons to top-tier forwards like Wilson and Griner — but not in a flattering way. While those stars routinely shoot over 60% near the rim, Reese is missing more than half of her close-range attempts, a glaring issue for someone expected to anchor a frontcourt.
Her film reveals rushed layups, poor angle decisions, and an inconsistent ability to use the backboard — all fixable flaws, but ones that raise questions about her development path and the coaching she’s receiving.
The good news: It’s early. Angel Reese is still just a rookie in a league known for its steep learning curve. Many players before her have struggled in their first year and turned things around with time, coaching, and hard work.
But for now, the spotlight is unforgiving. As Caitlin Clark ascends into early superstardom, Angel Reese is grappling with a harsh reality — and a need to adapt quickly.
The contrast between these two rookies, once equally hyped, is now becoming one of the defining narratives of the 2024 WNBA season. If Reese can address her efficiency crisis and refine her fundamentals, she still has all the tools to become a dominant force. But if the numbers continue in this direction, her role — and future — in the league may be at risk.
