Angel Reese on rookie performance so far: ‘Happy but not satisfied’

Angel Reese hasn’t slowed down at the next level. Through 13 games, Reese is averaging 12.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game while shooting 37.8% from the field. During an interview with CBS Sports, the Chicago Sky rookie evaluated the start to her WNBA career.

“I gotta give myself a little grace. I’m really hard on myself, obviously. But, I’m happy where I am right now but not satisfied,” Reese said. “I have more to work for and more that I want to accomplish. But coming in as a rookie, obviously it’s not supposed to be easy and I think I’ve done a good job making an adjustment.

“My teammates have helped me a lot and my coaches. So I love being here in Chicago. There’s no better place to be then with the Chicago Sky.”

In the Chicago Sky’s hard-fought 91-83 loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday, Reese tallied 11 points, a game-high 13 rebounds and five assists. In the loss, Reese battled foul trouble, finishing the game with five fouls.

Angel Reese on embracing the ‘villain role’

After the contest, Reese criticized the referees, claiming they were unfair in their judgement.

“We were playing really hard. I think we went up strong a lot of times and we didn’t get a lot of calls,” Reese said. “Going back and looking at the film, I’ve seen a lot of calls that weren’t made. I guess some people got a special whistle.

“I’m still proud of Kamilla [Cardoso] going out and still getting a double-double. That’s something y’all are not going to be able to stop, regardless of the referees. We’re here for a while. We’re not going to be denied, no matter what you guys try to do. But, our goal is to win and we’re going to do whatever it takes to win.”

Reese’s “special whistle” comment may have been directed toward Clark, who also shot a game-high six free throws. It wouldn’t be the first time this month Reese seemed to hint at Clark without directly mentioning her name.

“People are pulling up to games,” Reese said. “We got celebrities coming to games, sold out arenas, just because of one single game. And just look at that. I’ll take that role. I’ll take the bad guy role. And I’ll continue to take that on and be that villain for my teammates.

“If I wanna be that, I know I’ll go down in history. I’ll look back in 20 years like the reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person. It’s because of me too. I want y’all to realize that.”