Angel Reese’s Unrivaled coach reveals what she expects to see from her in 3-on-3 basketball

First-time head coach Nola Henry has high expectations for the Chicago Sky standout in Unrivaled this winter.

Angel Reese is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars headed to Unrivaled this winter. Though she is one of the league’s youngest players at 22 years old, Reese brings star power, an NCAA championship, and a massive individual following certain to help bring eyes to the new 3-on-3 basketball league that will be broadcast on TNT.

In her rookie season for the Chicago Sky, Reese averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, setting a WNBA record for most rebounds per game in league history. She was named an All-Star, and became the first ever rookie to post a double-double in the All-Star game. Off the court, Reese amassed 4.5 million Instagram followers, more than any other player in women’s basketball.

In Unrivaled — set to tip off on January 17th in Miami — Reese will be a member of the Rose Club. That club will be coached by Nola Henry, who served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks under Curt Miller and has a strong background in player development that began with an internship for the Connecticut Sun.

For the Rose Club, Reese will team up with Las Vegas Aces point guard Chelsea Gray, Phoenix Mercury forward Kahleah Copper, Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes, Indiana Fever sharpshooter Lexie Hull, and Los Angeles Sparks forward Azurá Stevens. Gray (32), Copper (30), Sykes (30), Stevens (28), and Hull (25) all bring

Nola Henry said last week that she believes the veterans on the team — in particular Gray — will help Reese in her development as a player. While Reese undoubtedly had a tremendous rookie season, she struggled a bit offensive around the basket, shooting just 39.1% from the field.

Now, she’ll be paired with a slew of talented veterans who could help her elevate that part of her game. Gray, a three-time WNBA champion, is widely considered one of the best point guards in the game. Copper, meanwhile, led the Sky to a championship in 2021. Both veterans were key members of the U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Paris — and Reese is likely to benefit from both of their presences.

“I think Chelsea Gray will definitely help Angel’s development,” Henry said. “It’ll speed up her development — not just from a leadership standpoint, but also understanding the angles of the floor, and understanding screening.”

On the floor, Henry stressed that Reese will bring rebounding to the squad, as that has been the hallmark part of her game throughout her time in the league — as well as prior to that.

“For Angel, it doesn’t matter, 3-on-3, 5-on-5, college, WNBA — she’s an incredible rebounder, right?” Henry said. “I expect to see rebounding from her... that’s just what she’s done her entire career.”

This past season, Reese broke a myriad of rebounding records. The 6’3 forward became the first player in WNBA history to record 20+ rebounds in consecutive games, doing so in three straight outings. She also posted 15 consecutive double-doubles, another league record. The rebounding success was foreshadowed; throughout her collegiate career, Reese averaged 12.3 boards per game.

In addition to undoubtedly showcasing her strengths as a rebounder, Henry said she believes Unrivaled will serve as an opportunity for Reese to demonstrate her defensive versatility. She’ll also be tasked with limiting some of the best players in the world, including Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, the league’s two co-founders. Reese will also likely be primarily assigned to Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Aliyah Boston.

“With 3-on-3, there will be a lot of switching, so I anticipate her being able to switch on to some smaller guards, and really have to sit down and guard in space,” Henry said. “Also, back to the basket, being able to guard some of the other really good post players in Unrivaled — Phee, Stewie — she’ll get a daily, or a nightly, challenge of guarding some of the best players in the WNBA, whether they are guards, whether they are post players.”

Unrivaled will be Nola Henry’s first head coach opportunity. She’s thrilled to get to begin this next chapter in her career alongside the rookie sensation.

“I’m super excited about Angel,” Henry said. “I followed her in college, and then obviously in the WNBA, I’m just excited about her growth.”