Sky Star Angel Reese’s 7-Word Reaction to Lisa Leslie’s Message at WNBA All-Star

Earlier this week, the WNBA’s 12-player All-Star team that will face Team USA on July 20 in Phoenix was announced and one of the names on the list was Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.

The former LSU star is having a breakout campaign in her first professional season after being selected seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft. After being named to the All-Star team in her first year, Reese received a special message from the legendary Lisa Leslie and had nothing but gratitude for his words:

Leslie is one of the greatest players to ever grace a WNBA court, winning three MVP awards, eight All-Star appearances and two WNBA titles. She is also a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Talent takes note of talent, and Leslie knows Angel Reese has a special career ahead of her.

Angel Reese makes her presence felt

It’s a bit surprising to see Reese fall to seventh, but the Sky are no doubt thrilled to have her. The 22-year-old is averaging 13.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 18 appearances for Chicago, which sits fourth in the Eastern Conference at 7-11.

Reese is also on a roll right now. She recorded 11 straight double-doubles and pulled down 19 rebounds in Tuesday’s win over the Atlanta Dream. Candace Parker holds the WNBA record with 12 straight double-doubles. Reese has a chance to break that record.

The forward was emotional after the win over the Dream when asked what it meant to her to be an All-Star in her first year. Via ESPN:

“I’m so happy. I know the work I’ve put in,” Reese said. “Coming into this league, a lot of people doubted me and didn’t think my game would be up to par and that I wouldn’t be the player I was in college or better or worse and not be where I am right now.

“But I trusted the process and I believed in myself and I’m grateful that I got traded down to No. 7 and was able to come to Chicago. It’s a blessing. I can’t thank my teammates and coaches enough for believing in me and trusting me. I know they’re all going to come to Phoenix and support me. So I’m really happy right now.”

Angel Reese had a bad offensive night against the Minnesota Lynx last week, but head coach Teresa Witherspoon said she never loses faith in Reese’s ability to bounce back, just like she did Tuesday:

“She’s going to continue to do what she does, that’s who she is, she’s always going to play hard and confident and give you everything she’s got,” Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. “She’s the hardest person on herself, so proud of what she’s done and what she’ll continue to do.”

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese headline the WNBA All-Star roster, but there are plenty of other big names that will be taking part in the festivities later this month in the desert. DeWanna Bonner, Nneka Ogwumike, Aliyah Boston and Jonquel Jones are just a few of the players set to take to the court.

If you’re wondering where players like Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart are, they’ll be on the other side of the court, wearing Team USA jerseys.

Good luck to Reese in his first All-Star appearance. Lisa Leslie will most likely be there to catch the action.