Angel Reese, hailed as a national champion, the SEC Player of the Year, and the standout player of the 2023 Final Four, has now emerged as a WNBA draft prospect, as per WNBA general managers and scouts. Despite her remarkable achievements, Reese’s transition to the professional league is viewed with a mix of promise and uncertainty.

Following LSU Tigers’ defeat in the Elite Eight on Monday, denying their title defense hopes, Reese promptly declared her intention to enter the WNBA in an article featured in Vogue, published just two days later.

With a staggering 6 million combined followers across her social media platforms, Reese’s presence is poised to draw a significant influx of fans to her future team’s arena. However, opinions within the WNBA circle are divided regarding her on-court performance.

On the positive side, Reese boasts exceptional athleticism and is a dominant force in rebounding. Throughout her final season at LSU, she maintained an impressive average of 13.4 rebounds per game alongside 18.6 points. Notably, she achieved double-doubles in 27 out of the 33 games she played this season.

“She just has a relentless competitive spirit,” one WNBA evaluator said. “She was impacting the winning. There’s a lot there, and I think she’s definitely a WNBA athlete.”

When Reese is down low, she excels, even if her finishing style is what one evaluator described as “unorthodox.”

“She’s just deadly in the paint,” a WNBA general manager said. “She’s also very effective even when she’s got a bigger player on her because she can go around them because of her athleticism and her quickness. She doesn’t mind getting hit. She can get hit and finish with two people hanging on her.”

For another WNBA insider, it’s intangibles that could make her a future star.

“She does what she does,” the general manager said. “She’s a tremendous rebounder. She gets to the free throw line. She has a high IQ and can impact your defense.”

Standing at 6-foot-3, Reese has showcased her defensive versatility by effectively guarding players of various positions, including those taller than herself. Notably, during her tenure at LSU, she successfully defended against towering opponents such as 6-7 Kamilla Cardoso from South Carolina and 6-7 Lauren Betts from UCLA. Despite surrendering size to larger centers, Reese impressively held her own in these matchups, highlighting her strength and length on the court.

“She’s what I would call a two-way player,” a general manager said. “She’s going to defend on one end, she’s going to rebound on both ends and she’s going to score.”

Reese draws inspiration from basketball luminaries A’ja Wilson and Candace Parker, evident in her on-court style and approach. Notably, she sports a single-leg sleeve reminiscent of Wilson’s signature look and demonstrates Parker’s penchant for driving the ball on fast breaks. Additionally, Reese displays above-average passing and ball-handling skills for her position, further reflecting her admiration for these players.

However, Reese’s shooting outside the paint remains an area in need of development. While she primarily played center during her tenure at LSU, Reese’s stature is more suited to the power forward position in the WNBA. Given the league’s tendency towards taller centers like Brittney Griner, Teaira McCowan, and Kamilla Cardoso, Reese’s potential lies in transitioning to the power forward role. This shift would align her with the likes of Breanna Stewart, Wilson, Parker, and other WNBA power forwards who frequently contribute from the perimeter.

“I wish she had more range on her shot,” a general manager said. “I think that’s something that she needs to add.”

“I’d like to see her evolve her game outside of 10 feet,” another evaluator said. “If she’s going to play the four at the pro level, I think she’s got to work on her free throws and her outside shot.”

Reese’s struggles with shooting beyond the paint were evident throughout the season, despite occasional attempts to incorporate jumpers into her game. Her statistics reflect this challenge, with a mere 1-for-9 success rate from beyond the arc and a relatively modest 72.6% accuracy on free throws. In her final game with LSU, she faced particularly tough shooting percentages, hitting only 33.3% from the field and 37.5% from the free throw line.

It’s worth noting that Reese’s role at LSU primarily centered around dominating the paint, where she excelled in scoring and rebounding. This strategy aligned with the team’s winning formula, often relying on Reese’s presence near the basket for offensive effectiveness and rebounding prowess. Consequently, venturing outside the paint wasn’t a frequent necessity for Reese, as it could compromise her ability to contribute effectively to her team’s success.

Beyond her on-court performance, questions have emerged regarding Reese’s conduct and playing style. Some insiders have raised concerns about a four-game absence during the season and incidents like the one in the SEC championship game against South Carolina, where Reese was involved in physical altercations, including pulling an opponent’s hair and elbowing them in the face. These incidents have prompted scrutiny and raised questions about Reese’s approach to the game.

“Some of the stuff she does is disrespectful to the game,” a general manager said.

Reese is fully aware of the dedication required to elevate her game to the professional level. Recognizing the ongoing evolution of pro players, she understands the importance of relentless training and skill refinement. To impress WNBA decision-makers, Reese knows she must demonstrate unwavering determination and a burning desire for continuous improvement.

“Now, what I want to learn is what really is her work ethic?” one WNBA coach said.

Reese expects her next chapter to be challenging.

“I’ll be working with grown women,” she said to Vogue. “I’ll be working with women that have kids, women that have a family to feed. I’m going to have to work my butt off every single day and grind. And who wouldn’t want that? I don’t want anything in my life to be easy.”