Angel Reese’s sensational rookie season has come to an end due to a season-ending wrist injury he sustained in Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, the team announced Saturday evening.

Reese, the No. 7 pick in the 2024 draft and a national champion star out of LSU, made a mark in her first season in the WNBA, recording 26 double-doubles, the second-most all-time in a season, and setting a WNBA record earlier this summer with 15 consecutive double-doubles.

Reese averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game last season.

Reese’s outstanding play earned her an All-Star selection. She and Caitlin Clark – her college rival and main challenger for Rookie of the Year – became the first rookie duo to receive an All-Star nomination since 2014. Reese was Chicago’s fourth All-Star rookie and first since 2013.

Before Sunday’s game against the Dallas Wings, Reese’s participation was initially listed as questionable in Sky’s injury report.

“What a year,” Reese posted on social media on Saturday. “I never thought the last basket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God’s will to give them a taste of what they’ll see even more in year two lol.”

“I’m very emotional right now because I suffered a season-ending injury. But I’m also very thankful for what’s next. Even though it’s God’s schedule and not mine, I can finally give myself a physical and mental break. ‘God gives his strongest soldiers the toughest battles.'”

Before the draft, scouts were divided on how Reese’s game would translate to the pros, but her drive and rebounding shined at the next level in an unparalleled way. She became the first player in league history to grab 20 or more rebounds in three consecutive games. Her 446 rebounds in 34 games are the most in a season in WNBA history, and her rebounding average is on pace to become the highest in a season.

Reese’s popularity and involvement in pop culture have also helped bring a new wave of fans and relevance to the WNBA. Not only does she have 4.3 million followers on TikTok and 4.1 million on Instagram, she also attended the Met Gala, performed onstage with rapper Megan Thee Stallion at her show in Chicago, and appeared in a music video with rappers Cardi B and Latto. Her dominance on the court and talent off it sparked interest from the Sky, who also signed their rookie frontcourt star Kamilla Cardoso from South Carolina.

“I proved that I belonged in this league despite everything, even when no one else believed I did,” Reese wrote in her post. “All I ever wanted was to get to the W and make a difference. I can safely say that I have accomplished that and will strive to continue doing so.”

Reese added that she still intends to play in Unrivaled, the new 3×3 league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier that launches in January.

The Sky (12-22) are eighth in the standings and hope to secure the eighth and final spot in the WNBA playoffs. But the second half of their season has been turbulent. They are 2-8, the second-worst record in the league during that span, and have been without leading scorer Chennedy Carter for a total of five games. The Sky ended a seven-game losing streak on Friday against LA in Carter’s first game since August 25.