Angel Reese has sensationally revealed that her first season in the WNBA is over due to a wrist injury.

Reese announced the news in an explosive statement Saturday night, but she did not specify what the issue was. The Chicago Sky later said a wrist problem was the cause, but did not elaborate on the exact issue or whether she needed surgery.

Reese, 22, wrote: “What a year. I never thought the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3, but maybe God said they needed a taste of what’s to come in Year 2.

“Throughout everything, I’ve shown that I belong in this league, even when no one else believed in me. All I ever wanted was to get to the W and make an impact. I can confidently say that I have done that and I will strive to continue to do so.

‘I’m emotional now that I’m injured and the end of the season is approaching, but I’m also grateful for what’s to come.

Angel Reese has stunned WNBA fans by announcing her first season is over due to injury

Reese, pictured celebrating her Chicago Sky team’s win on Friday night, has a wrist injury

“Although this is God’s timing and not mine, I can finally give myself a physical and mental break. “God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers.” You’ll still see me as the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines! And Unrivaled League, see you soon!”

Reese played for Sky on Friday night, ending their seven-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Reese finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds for her rookie-record 26th double-double of the season. And she made 9 of 15 shots, including a 3-pointer and all five of her free throws.

Reese spoke to the media for nearly 15 minutes after Friday’s win and appeared to be in good spirits. He made no mention of an injury.

But of the team’s losing streak, Reese said aptly, “Adversity builds character. It’s so easy to just be at the top and not have things happen.”

And her team said Saturday night, shortly after Reese herself announced the news: “Following further medical evaluation following the Sept. 6 game against Los Angeles, Angel Reese has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season with a wrist injury, the team announced today. The team will provide medical updates as necessary.”

The Chicago Sky team is locked in a battle with the Atlanta Dream for the post-season play-offs, and Reese’s season-ending injury is a huge blow.

The Sky will need Caitlin Clark — Reese’s big rival — and the Indiana Fever to help them with a win against Atlanta on Sunday. Currently, Chicago and Atlanta are 12-22 on the season.

Reese pictured next to her big rival Caitlin Clark during the WNBA Draft in April

22-year-old Reese’s season may have ended early, but she’s had an impressive first year

Reese was selected seventh overall in the WNBA Draft in New York earlier this year. He joined the WNBA after playing for LSU in college.

Along with Clark, who was the first overall pick in the draft, Reese has taken interest in the WNBA to a new level, thanks in large part to the rivalry between them.

This week, she released the first episode of her new podcast, in which she made the controversial claim that some of Clark’s fans are racist.

Her season-ending injury will all but end the debate over who should win Rookie of the Year. Clark now has a clear path to claim the honor. She was already the favorite, but Reese was by far her biggest rival.

Reese made no mention of an injury during a press conference on Friday night

But now Reese must make a comeback for 2025. Season start dates have not yet been announced, but next year’s draft is scheduled for April.

She will finish the 2024 season averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds, the highest rebounding average in WNBA history. Reese also sets the rookie record with 26 double-doubles — her last coming in a 92-78 win over Los Angeles on Friday night.

The Sky rookie grabbed a total of 446 rebounds this year, including a record 172 offensively.

Reese is expected to play in the new 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled, which launches in Miami this winter.