When people talk about Angel Reese, the conversation usually goes in one of two directions.
They either talk about her popularity.
Or they talk about her box score.
What often gets lost is how much Angel Reese impacts winning.
The Atlanta Dream didn’t trade multiple first-round picks for Reese because of social media followers.
They traded for her because she does things that directly contribute to winning basketball games.
And while some critics continue to focus on shooting percentages, the Dream continue to win games with Reese playing a major role.
That’s not a coincidence.
The Rebounding Impact Is Historic
Let’s start with the obvious.
Angel Reese isn’t just a good rebounder.
She’s one of the best rebounders in basketball.
Reese currently leads or ranks near the top of the WNBA in rebounding and offensive rebounding, continuing a trend that started the moment she entered the league.
The value of offensive rebounds is often overlooked.
Every offensive rebound creates:
- An extra possession
- An additional scoring opportunity
- More foul pressure on opponents
- Momentum-shifting plays
Those extra possessions add up over the course of a game.
And nobody creates more of them than Angel Reese.
The Box Score Doesn’t Tell the Full Story
The easiest way to evaluate players is by points per game.
The better way is to evaluate how they impact winning.
Reese is averaging a double-double while also contributing as a passer, defender, and transition player. She is averaging over 11 rebounds per game while adding assists and defensive production.
What makes her unique is that she affects the game even when she isn’t scoring.
Some players need the ball.
Reese creates value without it.
She can:
- Control the glass
- Set physical screens
- Defend multiple positions
- Generate second-chance points
- Ignite fast breaks
Those contributions don’t always show up in highlight reels, but they absolutely show up in wins.
She Is the Glue That Makes Atlanta Work
If you watch the Dream consistently, you’ll notice something.
Angel Reese connects everything.
She isn’t necessarily the leading scorer.
She isn’t always the primary ball handler.
But she’s involved in almost every successful stretch Atlanta has.
When the Dream go on runs, you’ll often see:
- Reese grabbing a rebound
- Reese creating a second possession
- Reese forcing a turnover
- Reese pushing the pace
- Reese making a hustle play
Those are momentum plays.
Championship teams are built on momentum plays.
Atlanta’s roster is full of talented scorers like:
- Allisha Gray
- Rhyne Howard
- Brionna Jones
- Te-Hina Paopao
What Reese provides is something different.
She provides the connective tissue that keeps everything together.
Atlanta’s Defense Tells the Story
The Dream have emerged as one of the better defensive teams in the WNBA this season. Atlanta’s strong start has been fueled by an elite defense, with Reese playing a major role in that success through rebounding, defensive versatility, and physicality.
Defense starts with ending possessions.
And ending possessions starts with securing rebounds.
Reese does both.
Her ability to clean the glass allows Atlanta to get out in transition where players like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray can thrive.
Without Reese, Atlanta is a good team.
With Reese, Atlanta becomes significantly more difficult to play against.
The Numbers Support It
Even while critics focus on efficiency, Reese continues to produce elite winning metrics in the areas that matter most.
She has been one of the league’s top rebounders since entering the WNBA and continues to rank among the best in offensive rebounding, total rebounding, and double-doubles.
In her return to Chicago, she posted:
- 17 points
- 17 rebounds
- 4 assists
- 2 steals
while helping Atlanta rally for a victory. She also became the fastest player to reach 57 career double-doubles.
Those aren’t empty statistics.
Those are winning statistics.
The Attention Creates Blind Spots
Ironically, Reese’s popularity may be one of the reasons she’s underrated.
Every game is analyzed.
Every missed shot is clipped.
Every mistake becomes a discussion.
Meanwhile, the things she does best often get overlooked because they aren’t flashy.
People notice missed shots.
They don’t always notice:
- Three offensive rebounds in one possession
- A perfectly timed switch on defense
- A screen that creates an open three
- A hustle play that changes momentum
Winning players impact games in ways that don’t always make SportsCenter.
Angel Reese is one of those players.
Final Thoughts
Angel Reese is already one of the most recognizable athletes in women’s basketball.
But despite all the attention she receives, she still feels underrated as a basketball player.
The Dream didn’t trade for her because they needed another scorer.
They traded for her because she helps teams win.
Her rebounding creates possessions.
Her defense creates stops.
Her energy changes momentum.
Her toughness sets the tone.
And while Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard may fill up the scoring column, Angel Reese is often the glue holding everything together.
That’s why Atlanta made the move.
And it’s a big reason why the Dream suddenly look like legitimate championship contenders.
