As the WNBA prepares to tip off the 2026 season, all eyes are on Angel Reese and her new chapter with the Atlanta Dream. However, to understand the massive expectations following the “Bayou Barbie” into this year, we have to look back at the historical hardware she put up during her 2025 sophomore campaign with the Chicago Sky.

Despite a late-season back injury that sidelined her for the final 14 games, Reese’s 2025 season was a masterclass in interior dominance and statistical consistency. 

Here is the definitive recap of the year that solidified her as a perennial All-Star.

RELATED: The Blueprint of a Force: Angel Reese’s 2024 Season Retrospective

Historic Rebounding: Back-to-Back Peak Performer

Reese entered 2025 with a target on her back, but she remained untouchable in the paint. For the second consecutive year, Reese claimed the WNBA Rebounding Peak Performer Award, averaging 12.6 rebounds per game.

Reese also became the only player in WNBA history to lead the league in rebounding in both her rookie and sophomore seasons. Her 20-rebound performance against the Phoenix Mercury on August 28 served as a stark reminder that when it comes to “second-chance points,” Reese is the league’s ultimate hardware.

The Double-Double Machine

The consistency that defined her rookie year reached new heights in 2025, as Reese recorded 23 double-doubles in just 30 games played.

• The Milestone: On May 27, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 500 career rebounds.
• The Streak: Reese also put together an 11-game double-double streak (June 22–July 29), further cementing her status as a statistical outlier in the modern game.

Playmaking Growth and Defensive Versatility

The 2025 “version” of Angel Reese featured a significant offensive update. Under the Chicago Sky’s revamped system, Reese’s assist numbers spiked to a career-high 3.7 per game. Defensively, her active hands remained a problem. Averaging 1.5 steals per game, Reese proved she could defend the perimeter just as effectively as she protected the rim.

The 2026 Outlook

As we stand in 2026, the focus shifts to how Reese will integrate with the Atlanta Dream’s fast-paced roster. If 2025 was about proving she belonged, 2026 is all about going to the next level.

Featured Photo: Courtesy of John Mac of Wikimedia Commons

Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.