Like every other rookie, Angel Reese’s transition to the WNBA has had its share of ups and downs. One thing is clear, though: The Sky standout is just getting better, and that improvement is reflected in her production.
The 22-year-old is already a nightly double-double threat for Chicago, even as she works on other areas of her game. Her progress through her first 14 games makes her a realistic Rookie of the Year candidate despite rival Caitlin Clark’s gaudy numbers.
Reese put together quite possibly the best game of her young WNBA career Thursday against the Wings, erupting for 16 points, 18 rebounds and a pair of blocks in a win that snapped a four-game losing streak for Chicago. She also made a bit of history in the effort.
Make that 16 PTS for Angel Reese 👏
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— WNBA (@WNBA) June 20, 2024
Here’s a look at how Reese already has made WNBA history — and how she can make more if she can keep posting double-doubles.
MORE: Inside the competitive relationship between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese double-double streak
Reese enters Sunday’s matchup against Clark and the Fever with an active streak of seven consecutive double-doubles. The stretch began on June 4, when Reese had 13 points and 10 rebounds against the Liberty, and she’s been able to sustain the streak despite some close calls along the way.
Reese’s double-double against Dallas made WNBA history, as seven games is the longest double-double streak by a rookie. She passed Tina Charles and Cindy Brown by notching No. 7 in a row.
While Reese is averaging 12.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, she’ll need to keep up the effort on both sides of her game to keep her run going. Efficiency has been a struggle at times for the rookie — she shot a combined 7-of-23 between the two games preceding her breakout performance against the Wings — and she’s hovering just over the double-digit mark in the rebounds category.
Still, it’s clear there is real progress being made by the former LSU star, and that gives her a chance to etch her name in the WNBA record books with a few more double-doubles.
Here’s a look at what Reese needs to do to set the record for longest double-double streak in WNBA history.
MORE: Caitlin Clark denies rivalry with Angel Reese and Chicago Sky
WNBA longest double-double streak
Just two players in WNBA history have recorded a double-double in more than seven consecutive games: Retired greats Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles, who each have two such streaks.
The longest double-double streak in WNBA history is 12 games, set by Parker between the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Fowles’ longest streak of 10 games also came between two seasons. The longest streak in a single season stands at nine, set by Parker in 2015.
The full list of leaders is below:
| Player | Streak | Season(s) |
| Candace Parker | 12 games | 2009, 2010 |
| Sylvia Fowles | 10 games | 2011, 2012 |
| Candace Parker | 9 games | 2015 |
| Sylvia Fowles | 8 games | 2011 |
| Tina Charles | 7 games | 2011 |
| Sylvia Fowles | 7 games | 2014 |
| Lauren Jackson | 7 games | 2003 |
| Jonquel Jones | 7 games | 2017 |
| Lisa Leslie | 7 games | 1997, 1998 |
| Lisa Leslie | 7 games | 2002, 2003 |
| Angel Reese | 7 games | 2024 |
| Satou Sabally | 7 games | 2023 |
MORE: Complete history of Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark matchups
That means Reese can join exclusive company with a double-double against the Fever, putting her alongside Parker and Fowles as the only players in WNBA history with eight consecutive double-doubles. Sole possession of the record will require six more double-doubles.
If Reese sustains the streak, she would be on track to tie Parker’s record against the Storm in Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on July 5 and break the record in the same building on July 7.
WNBA rookie double-double record
Tina Charles holds the record for most double-doubles by a rookie with 22 in the 2010 season.
To this point, Reese has eight double-doubles with 26 games remaining. That means she would have to record 14 double-doubles in 26 games to tie Charles’ rookie record and 15 to break it.
The record is at least attainable for Reese at her current pace. She has a double-double in 57.1% of her games so far and needs a double-double in 57.7% of her remaining games to break the rookie record.
Consider that she is still improving, too. Reese had just one double-double over her first seven games but has a double-double in each of her last seven contests. Charles’ rookie record is very much in jeopardy if that production even comes close to holding up.
