Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has had a record-breaking rookie season, but despite the positives, the areas where she can grow are also evident. One player she could look to emulate is New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart.
Angel Reese can gain insights from Stewart as she observes the 2024 WNBA playoffs and participates in the Unrivaled Basketball League, a 3-on-3 women’s league established by Stewart and Napheesa Collier, set to debut in January 2025 in Miami.
Here are five characteristics of Stewart that Angel Reese can model her game after as she moves forward.
5 Breanna Stewart characteristics that Angel Reese should look to add to her game
1. Ability to stretch the floor
Breanna Stewart has a career 3-point shooting percentage of 35.7%, taking an average of 4.7 attempts from beyond the arc each game. Her capacity to stretch the floor as a forward has provided the teams she plays for with enhanced offensive options.
A promising sign is that Angel Reese has expressed her desire to evolve into a stretch 4 as she develops in the league.
“I haven’t even been able to tap into who I really am and my potential of being able to be that stretch 4 position, and just being able to be that,” she said in her ‘Unapologetically Angel’ podcast. “So, people also need to give that some grace too. I’m still a rookie; I’m still figuring it out.”
#2. Playmaking
Breanna Stewart struggled with her shooting in the Liberty’s Game 2 victory over the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA playoff semifinals, but her playmaking skills shone through. She recorded eight assists, tying her playoff career high, which helped the Liberty secure the narrow win despite her shooting 5-for-15 from the field.
In her last two seasons with the Liberty, Stewart has averaged 3.6 assists per game, an increase from her average of 2.9 assists per game during her time with the Seattle Storm.
In contrast, Angel Reese’s playmaking in her rookie season left much to be desired, averaging only 1.9 assists per game.
#3. Improved defense
Breanna Stewart has been named to six All-Defensive Teams throughout her career, earning her third first-team selection in the 2024 season. Her defensive impact is evident, as she recorded the third-most defensive win shares in 2024 with 3.4.
Reese, who had 1.6 defensive win shares last season, has already shown her prowess on the boards, and becoming a formidable rim protector is the next step in her development.
#4. Playing within a system
The system under recently fired Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon allowed Angel Reese to maximize her rebounding opportunities, but it also contributed to her shooting struggles, as she managed only a 39.1% shooting percentage.
Having already established her dominance on the boards, Reese’s next challenge is to identify her role within a winning system under the next Sky head coach and develop synergy with the team’s guards and frontcourt partner Kamilla Cardoso.
Stewart has constantly demonstrated her adaptability throughout her career. Despite scoring less than she did during her MVP season last year, she remained the best player for the Liberty this season.
#5. Offensive efficiency
According to the WNBA’s shot distance statistics, Angel Reese excelled at shooting from within 5 feet, converting 44.5% of her attempts from that range.
However, her shooting percentages dropped significantly as the distance increased: she shot 11.1% from 5 to 9 feet, 33.3% from 10 to 14 feet, 35.7% from 15 to 19 feet, 18.2% from 20 to 24 feet, and made only one of six attempts from beyond 25 feet.
In comparison, Breanna Stewart demonstrated efficiency at every range, shooting 67.0% from 5 feet, 43.7% from 5 to 9 feet and 40.8% from 10 to 14 feet. Her shooting percentages were 35.3% from 15 to 19 feet, 28.7% from 20 to 24 feet and 30.4% from beyond 24 feet.
As such, Reese should strive to incrementally improve her offensive efficiency, which is a notable weakness at this early stage in her career.
