Angel Reese: Biography, WNBA Player, Podcast Host

It’s been a rough start to the 2025 season for WNBA star Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky team on the whole. One troubling set of statistics could explain why.

On Tuesday, sports analyst Dean Oliver presented a graph of Reese’s “aggregate net points by games played.” And while he admitted from the jump that stats can only show the symptoms and not the cause, the chart did show that things have been going downhill for Reese since last year’s WNBA All-Star Game.

“Angel Reese started her WNBA career pretty well. The graph below shows her aggregate net points by games played and it was nicely uphill until early July last year, around when she was named an All-Star. Then things went downhill and they’ve continued this year,” Oliver wrote.

“Knowing why is not easy. Stats give symptoms, not a cause. Those symptoms are
– Both offense and defense declined
– On offense, she went from a good transition player to bad.
– Her turnovers skyrocketed.
– She took more non-rim shots in the paint and was bad.

“Her inability to finish at the rim was there from start to end, but she did other things to compensate until the graph went downhill. Is there an underlying reason? Not sure.”

Oliver’s data has attracted a wide range of opinions over why Reese is struggling so much. Some attributed her decline to a change in position while others believe it’s simply a result of Reese’s fame getting to her head.

“First rule of showbiz, never believe your own press… Angel Reese needs to re-focus her energies rebuild her game before she becomes a cautionary tale…” one user suggested.

Angel Reese on the court for the Sky.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 22: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts against the New York Liberty during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

“They have her playing point forward a lot. It’s crushing her efficiency and upping her turnovers. Maybe the point forward spell will pay long term dividends but it’s not working right now,” another wrote.

“It’s clear she cares more about being famous than basketball. is nothing more than a means to an end. She’ll eventually be cut and bounce around before she becomes a full time personality, her true passion,” a third wrote dismissively.

Whatever the cause, Reese needs to find the solution and fast.

The Sky are 2-5 on the season.

Houston Texans star Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his illegal hit to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the ensuing brawl between the teams in a lengthy statement on social media.  

Al-Shaair’s statement comes as his three-game suspension as a result of the incident has ended and he is slated to return to the field for the Texans on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

On December 1, an Al-Shaair hit to the head of a sliding and defenseless Lawrence caused chaos in Jacksonville. The defensive back needed to be restrained by several coaches and Lawrence has not played since taking the barbaric contact.

‘While so many jumped at the first opportunity to hop on the false narrative – that l’m a dirty player or bad person – the messages from all who stood by me were the only things keeping me mentally afloat during a time of isolation,’ Al-Shaair said on social media.

‘I’ve learned so much from this entire experience. Seeing myself on video – letting my emotions get the best of me to the point where I completely lost it – was an embarrassing and eye-opening moment for me.’

‘I’ve had to earn everything in my life. I never want to allow anyone to get me to a point where I jeopardize everything that I’ve worked all my life to obtain. That was not the way I want to represent myself or my family and I will continue to learn and grow from that moment.’

Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence
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Azeez Al-Shaair has admitted regrets over his hit to Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence

The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence
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The Texans defensive back was suspended for three games as a result of the hit to Lawrence

Al-Shaair said during his three-game ban, he met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives for the first time, taking issue with how he was characterized in the official announcement of his suspension.

The defender said he thought his character and integrity were ‘unjustifiably smeared’ in the release but the meeting with Goodell and others was ‘productive’ and gave him hope it would not happen again.

‘In that conversation – man-to-man – I owned and acknowledged that my actions following my ejection were careless and, in that moment, I didn’t think about the responsibility I have been blessed with to represent the shield,’ Al-Shaair continued.

‘I also stated that the letter, and specifically the language used in the letter, was equally as careless and conveyed that the context of the words used were not a reflection of my character, nor my career, as I have not been warned multiple times for my play on the field.’

Al-Shaair’s hit on Lawrence was not the only controversial incident he was involved in this season.

During the Texans’ game against the Bears in September, he punched Roschon Johnson, who wasn’t even in the game at the time of another sideline confrontation.

Al-Shaair ended his statement by saying his view is that everyone in the league office and on the field are on the same team to represent the NFL in the best nature possible, something he failed to do earlier this month.

‘Lastly, I’ll say that this world is full of negative people who can’t wait to tear you down, but if you move with love and compassion, the seeds of good you planted in others’ lives can grow into the very tree that shades you with comfort and compassion when you need it most,’ Al-Shaair concluded.

‘I am a man of God, I am a leader, a warrior and a lover. I am also a hell of a football player and I’m grateful to be back doing what I love.’