You could feel the electricity crackle through the arena—13 points, 15 rebounds, and history hanging in the balance. With 38.1 seconds left in the third quarter against the Phoenix Mercury on May 27, 2025, Angel Reese stepped to the free-throw line. Swish. In that heartbeat, the Chicago Sky sophomore didn’t just score a point—she demolished a 14-year WNBA record, becoming the fastest player ever to reach 500+ points and 500+ rebounds. Not in 50 games. Not in 44. But in a blistering, mind-bending 38 games .
Move over, Tina Charles. Step aside, Yolanda Griffith. Angel Reese isn’t just playing basketball—she’s rewriting its record books while dragging her winless team through the fire. And if you think this is just another stat line, you haven’t been paying attention. This is a seismic shift—a declaration that a new era of dominance has arrived.
The Night History Was Written: Reese’s Relentless Pursuit
Picture this: The Sky, desperate for their first win of 2025, stormed to a 16-point lead against Phoenix. Reese entered the night hovering at 489 points and 487 rebounds. Every boxout, every putback, every hustle play crackled with tension. The milestone wasn’t just looming—it was inevitable. When Reese snatched her 13th rebound late in the third quarter, she hit 500 boards. Seconds later, her free throw pushed her past 500 points . The arena erupted. Social media exploded. The WNBA’s official account crowned her: “Another milestone for Angel Reese. The sophomore becomes the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 500+ PTS and 500+ REB—doing it in just 38 games” .
Table: The Historic Comparison
| Player | Games to 500 PTS & 500 REB | Season Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Angel Reese (CHI) | 38 | 2025 |
| Tina Charles (CON) | 44 | 2011 |
| Yolanda Griffith | 49 | 1999 |
This wasn’t luck. It was the culmination of Reese’s ferocious identity: relentless on the glass, unstoppable in the paint. She led the league in rebounds as a rookie (13.6 PPG, 12.1 RPG averages) and is on pace to do it again—even as her scoring dips amid the Sky’s brutal 0-4 start . While critics harp on her 3-of-9 shooting that night, Reese’s stat line—13 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks—was a masterclass in all-around impact . As one analyst bluntly put it: “Give Reese her flowers. This is an incredible accomplishment” .
Shattering the Ghost of Tina Charles: Why This Record Resonates
For over a decade, Tina Charles’ record of 44 games stood untouched—a testament to her legendary consistency. Reese didn’t just break it; she obliterated it by six games. To grasp the magnitude, consider this: Reese grabbed her 500th rebound faster than any player in WNBA history has ever reached 50 rebounds in a single season . Her motor isn’t just high-revving—it’s revolutionary.
What fuels this dominance?
- Unmatched Work Ethic: Reese’s rookie year was no fluke. She broke records for most double-doubles by a first-year player (29 in 38 games!) and total rebounds—records also previously held by Charles .
- Defensive Anchoring: In the off-season Unrivaled 3×3 league, Reese wasn’t just playing—she was crowned Defensive Player of the Year. Her team, ROSE BC, allowed a league-low 65.2 points per game, with Reese leading in rebounds and blocks .
- Tactical Intelligence: Reese doesn’t just out-jump opponents; she out-thinks them. Her positioning, anticipation, and second-effort putbacks are a clinic in basketball IQ.
Yet, even as history was made, the Sky collapsed. Phoenix stormed back, outscoring Chicago 25-13 late in the third, and sealed a 94-89 win . Reese’s milestone, then, wasn’t celebrated in confetti and cheers—it emerged from the ashes of defeat. And that duality defines her young career.
The Weight of the Crown: Carrying a Winless Team Amid Relentless Criticism
Let’s be brutally honest: The Sky are in crisis. At 0-4, every Reese highlight exists against a backdrop of loss. Coach Tyler Marsh’s post-game words after the Phoenix heartbreaker were telling: “I think down the stretch, every possession matters… I’ve got to be better for them” . The burden isn’t just Reese’s—but she bears its weight most visibly.
Why Reese’s 2025 Feels Like a Battle
- Offensive Struggles: Her scoring has dipped to 9 PPG early this season (down from 13.6 in 2024), partly due to defensive schemes targeting her .
- Injury Concerns: Reese fractured her left hand in 2024, and against Phoenix, she was seen grimacing, reigniting fears. Marsh admitted, “We’ll reassess” .
- Toxic Noise: Online trolls relentlessly attack her shooting efficiency. After an 0-for-8 night against New York, the vitriol exploded. Reese clapped back on X: “I promise you win at life when you just live your OWN life” . Even a WNBA investigation into alleged racist abuse toward her found no evidence—but the scars linger .
Table: Reese’s Statistical Evolution
| Season | PPG | RPG | Double-Doubles | Team Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13.6 | 12.1 | 29 (Rookie Record) | 15-21 |
| 2025 | 9.0* | 12.5* | 1 in 4 games | 0-4* |
| *Early season stats amid team struggles . |
The Unshakeable Mindset: Faith, Fire, and Future Ambitions
How does Reese thrive amid chaos? Look beyond the court. After the Phoenix loss, she posted a spiritual message: “God has a plan. Day by day” . On Instagram, she shared a Bible verse: “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time” . This isn’t performative—it’s foundational. Reese’s resilience is forged in a trinity of faith, self-belief, and defiance.
- Brand Builder: Even in turmoil, Reese teased her 2026 Reebok signature shoe—a halo-adorned “A” logo symbolizing her “Bayou Barbie” persona. Reebok’s teaser declared: “Just the beginning… like you’ve never seen before” .
- Winner’s Mentality: GM Jeff Pagliocca sees it: “She wants to compete… She puts basketball first” .
- Eye on the Prize: Reese refuses to normalize losing: “It’s something you don’t want to get used to… We were right there every night” .
The Takeaway: More Than a Record—A Revolution
Angel Reese’s 500/500 milestone isn’t just a number—it’s a manifesto. In 38 games, she’s shattered a record, silenced critics, and shouldered a franchise’s hopes while designing sneakers and clapping back on Twitter. She embodies the modern athlete: multifaceted, unapologetic, and historically significant.
As the Sky hunt for win #1 against Dallas, remember this: Records like Reese’s aren’t set in comfortable silence—they’re forged in fire. Tina Charles herself once stood where Reese stands now. And if history is any guide? This is only Chapter 1. The rebounds will keep coming. The points will pile up. And the WNBA will never be the same.
The rebound revolution has arrived—and its name is Angel Reese.
