Before the 2026 WNBA season tipped off, the Atlanta Dream shocked the league by acquiring Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky in a blockbuster trade involving multiple first-round picks. Since entering the league as the 7th overall pick in 2024, Reese has been the most consistent force on the glass, maintaining a league-leading average of 12.8 rebounds per game.
She currently sits second in total rebounds since her rookie season, trailing only four-time MVP A’ja Wilson, who has played significantly more games. While her tenure in Chicago failed to yield a playoff appearance, Reese has flourished in Atlanta.
Now playing alongside established stars like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, she is no longer forced to carry the entire offensive burden, allowing her to focus on her elite ability to dominate the paint.
Historic Milestones: The Rebounding Machine
In the Dream’s dominant 86-66 victory over the Portland Fire, the team’s most convincing performance of the season, Reese put on a masterclass, finishing with a game-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. That 12th rebound was a milestone moment: Reese officially became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 900 career rebounds.
Furthermore, she became the fastest player to hit the 900-point and 900-rebound threshold, accomplishing both feats in just 71 games. While her field goal percentage continues to be a point of discussion, her impact in the paint is unparalleled.
One could argue that Reese is to rebounding what Caitlin Clark is to assists; both players have successfully translated their collegiate statistical dominance to the professional level. Now, both young stars are looking to carry that momentum into the postseason, a stage where neither has yet experienced success.
Consistent Dominance and the Road Ahead
Reese’s consistency is reflected in her historic pace. She has been the fastest player to reach the 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and now 900 benchmarks for both points and rebounds. For the 23-year-old star, the final key to her evolution is health; having struggled with injuries in her previous two seasons, her availability is the engine behind the Dream’s playoff push.
Atlanta gets a brief respite before facing the struggling Connecticut Sun on June 2, followed by a highly anticipated showdown against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. As fans know, whenever Reese and Clark share the court, it remains a “must-watch” event for the sport.