Angel Reese gets real on her mindset after making WNBA history

Angel Reese has turned rebounding into an identity, and her latest historic performance showed exactly why she has become one of the WNBA’s most dominant players on the glass. After setting league records with 26 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Sparks, the Atlanta Dream star offered a glimpse into the mentality behind her relentless pursuit of the ball.

Reese’s approach to rebounding is remarkably straightforward, built around the belief that every missed shot represents an opportunity she should control. That mindset helped her produce one of the most remarkable rebounding performances in WNBA history while providing Atlanta with a major boost during its push toward the postseason.

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) warms up before a WNBA preseason game against the Chicago Sky. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The 26-rebound outing broke the previous WNBA single-game record of 24, giving Reese another milestone in a rapidly developing professional career. She also surpassed the league’s previous single-season rebounding record, further establishing herself as one of the most productive rebounders the sport has seen.

What makes the accomplishment particularly impressive is that Reese did not need a prolific scoring night to dominate the game. Her ability to create extra possessions, secure defensive rebounds and give her teammates additional opportunities allowed her to influence the outcome even when her shooting was not at its best.

WNBA Star Angel Reese Talks About Her Mindset After Making League History

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese reacts to a flagrant foul from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.
© Grace Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Reese recently talked with Charles about the former’s mindset heading into the playoffs. This can be seen in a post shared by WNBA on NBC’s official Instagram account.

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A post shared by WNBA on NBC and Peacock (@wnbaonnbc)

“Anything that goes up is mine,” Reese said when asked about rebounding.

Her mentality has become a defining characteristic of her game since entering the WNBA, with physicality, positioning and anticipation allowing her to consistently compete for rebounds against bigger and more experienced players. Rather than waiting for the ball to come to her, Reese attacks the glass with the expectation that she should be the one finishing every possession.

That confidence could prove especially valuable as Atlanta prepares for the playoffs and looks to make a deeper run. With Reese controlling the boards at a historic rate, the Dream have a player whose impact can extend far beyond scoring and potentially become one of their biggest advantages when the stakes rise.