There will never be another Dennis Rodman, just as there will probably never be another Angel Reese.
Both players resonate with fans because of how authentically true to themselves they are, but if we make the dreaded comparison between the NBA and WNBA, then Reese has shown shades of Rodman in his rookie season with the Sky.
It’s still too early to suggest she could have the same Hall of Fame career, but she’s helping the Sky in a similar way to how Rodman helped those old Bulls teams. Here’s why that comparison is gaining traction.
Angel Reese vs. Dennis Rodman Stats
| Angel Reese | Statistics (per game) | Dennis Rodman |
|---|---|---|
| 12.4 | Points | 7.3 |
| 10.8 | Rebounds | 13.1 |
| 2.1 | Assists | 1.8 |
| 1.9 | steal | 0.7 |
| 38.6% | Field goal % | 52.1% |
| 0.0% | % of 3 points | 23.1% |
| 75.3% | Free shot % | 58.4% |
Angel Reese is a Dennis Rodman-level offensive rebounder
The most obvious similarity between Reese and Rodman is how dominant they are on the glass.
Rodman led the league in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons in the ’90s, averaging 16.7 per game during that span. He was one of the best offensive rebounders of all time, averaging 4.8 in his career.
For Rodman, rebounding was an art form. He studied the direction of misses, accurately predicted where the ball would come off the hoop, and outplayed everyone, tipping the ball volleyball-style over and over again until he could catch it himself.
Reese displays those same characteristics. She has a knack for positioning herself right where the ball will land. She considers being able to use both hands to grab rebounds to be one of her best traits. That has led her to average 4.9 offensive rebounds per game in her first 14 games, a shadow above Rodman’s career mark.
The current record for offensive rebounds in a season is held by Yolanda Griffin with 162. She was the best offensive rebounder in NBA history, averaging 3.4 per game during her career. Reese is ready to crush that mark, in part because of this year’s 40-game season. She’s on pace to finish with nearly 200 offensive rebounds, which would be a mark that should hold until the next time she breaks it.
Angel Reese is also a Dennis Rodman-level shooter
Rodman was not a great scorer during his NBA career. He could finish plays, but he only shot jumpers to energize the crowd and he was a terrible free throw shooter.
Reese is a much better offensive player than Rodman. She can face the basket or post up to create shots for herself and her teammates, but like Rodman, she is not a great shooter at this point in her career. She will shoot the occasional jump shot and her frame looks smooth.
Angel Reese hits the jumper to open the game in Chicago ?
ATL-CHI on League Pass as part of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by @coinbase pic.twitter.com/LPdDPsGrbH
– WNBA (@WNBA) June 8, 2024
However, he has only made 6.7 percent of his shots from beyond 16 feet and has missed all three of his 3-point attempts this season. He has a much better touch on his free throws than Rodman, hitting 75.3 percent from the line. It is possible that in a few years he will develop a more reliable jumper.
Both Angel Reese and Dennis Rodman are special defenders.
What made Rodman a Hall of Fame player is his defensive versatility. He was Draymond Green before Draymond Green, able to block all five positions and switch seamlessly. Rodman was ahead of his time in that regard.
Reese also has that special ability. She played more of a wing role in high school before moving to center at LSU and now primarily plays power forward for the Sky. She has expressed extreme confidence in her ability to change, as told to CHGO’s Stephen PridGeon-Garner.
“I can guard all five positions. I can switch point guards and get steals. That’s something I love to do.”
His play has backed up that talk. Watch her lock up five-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner after trading her, for example.
Angel Reese.
Perimeter defense. pic.twitter.com/3rLu22zuUI
– Ianni (@ianni_ch) May 26, 2024
Reese also has big hands that he has used to pick apart guards on the perimeter, such as Liberty’s Marquesha Davis.
ANGEL REESE DOES IT ALL!
The robbery tower leads to another Marina Mabrey three ?
?: CHI up 30 in WNBA app pic.twitter.com/kYNxlNy9Ws
– WNBA (@WNBA) May 8, 2024
Rodman made eight All-Defensive teams and was named Defensive Player of the Year twice during his 14-year career. Those are extremely high standards that it would be unreasonable to ask of any rookie, but Reese has full defensive potential.
The biggest similarity between the two may be in the passion with which they play on the court. Rodman became a legend in Chicago, quickly winning the hearts of the city after arriving in 1995.
Nearly three decades later, Reese has embodied that same edge and energy in her work, making it loved by some and hated by others. One thing is for sure: both players will always give everything they have on the court.
