Angel Reese had the last laugh with the ‘mebounds’ phrase after her historic outing against the Los Angeles Sparks, on the same afternoon as Candace Parker’s jersey retirement

Angel Reese had a historic outing against the Los Angeles Sparks, on the same day Candace Parker had her jersey retired(Image: MIRROR U.S. Sports)

LOS ANGELES – Angel Reese had the last laugh with a historic performance after fans criticized the Chicago Sky star for her style of play.

Reese often has been criticized for how some fans perceive her to be an inefficient scorer in her first two seasons in the WNBA, hitting back at critics by trademarking “mebounds”, a phrase poking fun at her supposed tendency to get offensive rebounds after missing her own shots. Along with trademarking the phrase, Reese also began making merchandise with the phrase, with the proceeds going to charity.

Speaking to reporters after the Sky’s 92-85 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, Reese shared how her mindset has changed after she’s grabbed rebounds compared to her first season. The star forward also noted how the Sky’s different personnel from last season to this season has played a part in her being a more all-around threat.

After it was all said and done, Reese had 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field, 16 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal in 38 minutes of action. In doing so, Reese became the first player in WNBA history to record 15 or more rebounds in four straight games, averaging 17.2 rebounds per contest.

And she pulled out the numbers to disprove anyone suggesting ‘mebounds’ were a big part of that record.

“Yeah, I mean, I think a lot of times when I get the rebound last year, maybe one game this year, I would go right back up and beat three people around me,” the 23-year-old told reporters after the win.

“And now we have amazing shooters where I can just kick it out and they make the three. And that’s why I have seven assists. So I think it just leaves the points. I mean, when you get rebounds, it’s never a negative. Like when somebody can’t stop you on the boards. I mean, at least the more points for us.

Angel Reese made mention of ‘mebounds’ after her historic, all-around effort against the Los Angeles Sparks(Image: Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

“I look at it as a positive. Everybody looks at it as a negative, but I look at it as a positive. I only have four [offensive rebounds], so it wasn’t just ‘mebounds’ tonight.”

With her historic outing and statline, Reese shared that all of the work she put in during the offseason is paying dividends after a rough start to the season.

“Yeah, I’m just trusting my work. I mean, I put my head down every day and just grind. And that’s all I do. I don’t do it for cameras. I don’t do it for publicity,” she continued.

“I don’t post me in the gym. And I’m not going to. Like I put my head down every day at work. I’m very versatile in what I do on and off the court. And I prioritize when I’m at work.

“When I’m at work, it’s time for work. And I come here every day and try to do everything for my teammates and whatever comes up about it. I mean, I talk to Lisa [Leslie] all the time. Congratulations to Candace [Parker].

“Obviously, everything she’s done for not just our organization, but for all the organizations that she’s impacted.

“I’ve watched her since I was a little girl. So it means a lot to me to be able to be named with such great players. And just continue to be something that I know that I can just be better every day. And just continue to be great.”