Angel Reese has already established herself as one of the WNBA's most impactful young stars, but one analyst believes a single additional skill could push her to an even higher level.

Speaking on the WNBA Today on the CLNS podcast, analyst and writer Noa Dalzell highlighted Reese's growth during the 2026 playoffs and pointed to three-point shooting as the key to a significantly higher ceiling. 

"If Angel Reese can start shooting 3s, we're talking about an incredibly high ceiling for her as a player... You can see it in her confidence, you can see it in her shooting percentages, it's on the rise," Dalzell said.

Reese arrived in Atlanta via trade before the 2026 season after two years with the Chicago Sky. In her first year with the Dream, she averaged 16.4 points and a league-leading 12.1 rebounds per game while earning Defensive Player of the Year honors. 

Her rebounding has long been elite, and she became the first player in WNBA history to record 500 rebounds in a single season. Still, questions about her offensive efficiency and perimeter shooting have followed her since her rookie year.

Under head coach Karl Smesko, Reese has shown clear progress. She has worked on changing her shot mechanics and increasing her three-point attempts. Her regular-season three-point percentage stayed modest, but her confidence and volume have risen, and the playoffs have offered encouraging signs. 

Dalzell's assessment, as per the X post,  lines up with comments from Smesko, who has publicly expressed pride in Reese's development and suggested her biggest leap may still be ahead. A reliable three-point shot would force defenses to account for her outside the paint, opening driving lanes, creating spacing for teammates, and making Atlanta's offense less predictable. 

For a player already dominant, consistent perimeter shooting would turn a high-level two-way contributor into a far more complete offensive threat.

Angel Reese's role in the Dream's WNBA Finals matchup

Angel Reese has emerged as a cornerstone for the Atlanta Dream as they prepare for the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries, starting October 17.

The Defensive Player of the Year arrives after a playoff run that helped the Dream go 5-0, including a three-game sweep of the New York Liberty. Her primary value remains on the glass and on defense. 

She led the league in rebounding during the regular season and kept creating second-chance opportunities in the postseason, while her physicality and motor disrupted opposing frontcourts. Her ability to force tough shots and generate steals has consistently made a difference for Atlanta.

Facing a Valkyries team known for disciplined defense and rebounding competitiveness, Reese will need to control the paint, set the physical tone, and elevate her teammates through relentless activity. As the leader and defensive anchor of a Dream squad chasing its first title, her two-way impact will be central.

Do you think a reliable three-point shot is all Reese needs to become one of the league's top players? 

Written by

Zaid Quraishi