Angel Reese is a name that’s become synonymous with trailblazing talent and tantalizing potential, and although the Chicago Sky forward is navigating the tricky terrain of her sophomore season, her presence on the court remains as solid as gold – quite literally because her rookie cards are still fetching a decent price on the resale market. Despite a recent 85-66 drubbing at the hands of the New York Liberty, it was Reese’s athletic brilliance that stole the show.
Reese, a player whose talent has been compared to the revered names of WNBA legends, has just etched her name into the historic annals of the league by becoming the fastest player to achieve 30 career double-doubles, managing this feat in a mere 42 games. The record isn’t just a testament to her skills but also to her burgeoning influence, both on the hardwood and in the collectors’ market, where her rookie trading cards have consistently held their value.
Even as the scoreboard painted a disappointing picture for the Sky, Reese’s stat line shimmered with promise: 17 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Such displays of prowess have seen her clamber above the likes of Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie in terms of speed to such milestones, proving her mettle amongst the greats in double-double history.
But, Reese’s sophomore slump – if one can call it that – is part of her narrative this season. The 2025 fixtures have seen her point average tumble slightly to just over 10 per game, a noticeable dip from her rookie season where she dazzled fans with a 13.6-point average. Similarly, her shooting accuracy has waned, currently standing at 35% as opposed to the more confident 39% she enjoyed last year.
Such a decline might cause concern for both fans and collectors, poised expectantly on the edge of this unfolding story. Yet what Reese lacks in scoring finesse this season, she compensates with sheer grit on the boards. Her rebounding prowess appears untouched and perhaps even ascendant, hauling in over 12 rebounds a game, a figure that fortifies her standing as one of the league’s premier board crashers.
Her ability to tip the scales in particularly grueling matches still makes those minty-fresh rookie cards desirable. The 2024 Panini Prizm Silver PSA 10, a rookie card that once dipped in value earlier this past May, has found a foothold at the $100 price point. This stability signifies that collectors are playing the long game, believing in Reese’s potential to match her otherworldly rebounding with a reinvigorated scoring spree.
In the playground of sports cards, where figures fluctuate as freely as the players on the court, this steadiness speaks volumes. It underscores not just the allure of an up-and-coming star but the anticipation of a rebound—not just a physical one—but a return to the potent all-around play that suggests Reese’s recent historical achievement was no fluke.
The sports card market buzz is like adrenaline, heightened by speculation and the potential of what might be. Reese’s role in this scene remains pivotal. A handful of thrilling performances mirroring the showdown against the Liberty could propel her card values skyward, enticing collectors eager for the next big prize.
Conversely, enduring struggles on offense might spell caution to the more risk-averse collectors and see her cards labeled as ‘hold.’ Yet, undeniable is her position in the limelight, juggling the admiration of a global audience and the demands of the sport with an elegant athleticism that can’t be taught.
The stakes for Angel Reese, and indeed her card collectors, are high as the WNBA season winds through its trials. Whatever individual challenges she faces on the court, her presence, already crystallized by her record, assures one thing – Reese is a force hard to ignore, both now and in the future. The remaining games of 2025 will undeniably chart the course for her legacy and the tangible treasures—her cards—that fans hold dear. Whether her basketball collectibles rise to iconic status or remain cherished mementos of a star in waiting is a thrilling narrative unfurling in real-time, much like Reese herself on a fast break.