Angel Reese shines on Candace Parker's special day, leading Sky over Sparks

The second-year forward notched 24 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks.

(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

LOS ANGELES -- On a day when the LA Sparks and the greater Los Angeles basketball community celebrated the illustrious career of one of the game’s most accomplished players, it was another SEC alum who stole the show.

With Candace Parker, famed Tennessee Volunteer and 10-time All-WNBA performer, seated courtside, Chicago Sky forward and former LSU standout Angel Reese put forth a virtuoso performance en route to 24 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks in 38 action-packed minutes to lead the Sky over the Sparks, 92-85.

The stat line—those points, rebounds, assists, and blocks—had only been achieved two prior times in the history of the WNBA, with Reese becoming the third such player to do it. The other two players were in the building: Parker and Sparks legend Lisa Leslie, who has mentored Reese through the years.

“That’s crazy,” said Chicago guard Ariel Atkins, who herself scored 20 points. “I’m sorry, that’s legend status right there.”

Reese used a dizzying display of post moves combined with hustle and determination, plus precision-like passing, to dice the Sparks apart in front of the two icons.

“I’m just trusting my work. I put my head down every day and just grind. That’s all I do. I don’t do it for cameras, I don’t do it for publicity. I don’t post me in the gym, and I’m not going to,” said Reese, who now has three games of at least 15 points and 15 rebounds this season, while the rest of the WNBA has notched four. All three of those games for Reese have come within the last week.

“I put my head down every day and work. I’m very versatile in what I do, on and off the court, and I prioritize when I’m at work. When I’m at work, it’s time for work. I come here every day and try to do everything for my teammates,” Reese added. “Whatever comes up about it—I mean, I talk to Lisa [Leslie] all the time. Congratulations to Candace [Parker], obviously. Everything she’s done for, not just for our organization but for all the organizations that she’s impacted. I’ve watched her since I was a little girl.

“It means a lot to me to be able to be named with such great players and just continue to be something that I know that I can just be better every day and just continue to be great.”