From competing for a championship in Baton Rouge to putting in work in Chicago, Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith have made significant progress! Having teamed up in college gives this newly formed duo a substantial edge on the court. They’re not starting from scratch; Reese and HVL have already played and trained together for a full year. Thus, while other players must build chemistry and understand each other’s dynamics, the Sky duo is ahead of the game.
However, their coordination isn’t flawless. Angel Reese is extremely competitive and has a strong desire to win. The six-foot-three forward is evolving into a playmaker and is enthusiastic about passing the ball, but she expects perfection from her teammates. It’s common to see her passionately directing her teammates, particularly HVL.
Despite this, there’s no negative impact on their relationship. In a segment on Bleacher Report’s Film Study, Hailey Van Lith and Renee Montgomery discussed the remarkable synergy between the two players. When analyzing a play where Reese drove in, drawing defenders and passing the ball to HVL, Montgomery inquired if that’s something they work on together. Van Lith responded, “I know Angel’s game pretty well now. So I know whenever I give it to her, she’s a very willing passer. And especially with me, she’s always yelling at me to knock down threes.”
In essence, Reese’s vocal emphasis highlights her confidence in the rookie guard. Similarly, Hailey trusts her teammate to make sound plays. “Whenever she has the ball and I’m nearby, I’m a hundred percent moving my feet to create an open shot because I know she’s looking for me.” This kind of mutual trust is invaluable and is sure to lead the duo to significant success!
Although Chicago’s season hasn’t been perfect, there are still some positive developments. For instance, Angel Reese is stepping into a more prominent leadership role this season. Known for her leadership at LSU, witnessing her growth in live games has been impressive. Recently, HVL made comments about Reese’s basketball skills and how she continually surpasses expectations.
Hailey Van Lith Highlights Angel Reese’s Overlooked Skill
On June 15th, Angel Reese revealed to the basketball world that she possesses more tricks in her arsenal by recording her first career triple-double! While often perceived as a rebounding specialist, the Bayou Barbie is aiming to redefine her role even further. Throughout July, Reese has consistently appeared as a triple-double threat, yet she may not be receiving the recognition she deserves.
According to Hailey Van Lith, Reese’s playmaking ability is her most “overlooked skill set.” Speaking with Renee Montgomery on Bleacher Report’s Film Study, she praised her teammate’s impact: “I think her ability to operate from the high-post or the dunker spot while facilitating and scoring has been essential for our offense. We’ve structured a lot of our plays around her because of that.”
Even with Nikola Jokic’s recent successes, HVL emphasized how what Reese does is distinctly different. “You typically don’t associate big players with being playmakers, but Angel Reese is exceptional at reading the game.” She noted that the six-foot-three forward has a keen understanding of when to pass, shoot, or cut.
It will be intriguing to see how the Bayou Barbie continues to evolve her game in the league. With her connections to legends like Lisa Leslie focused on enhancing her offensive skills, her potential is undeniable. We eagerly anticipate the peak she is destined to reach!
