Angel Reese Convinced She's the 'Favorite Rookie' of Retired WNBA Legend

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 6:12 AM ET

After Diana Taurasi announced her retirement on Tuesday, her fellow WNBA players reflected on their experiences playing with her and the moments they shared with the hoops icon.

While many shared their scariest Taurasi stories, from her trash-talking antics to her highly physical play, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese revealed that she had a rather different experience.

According to Reese, she has "no bad DT story" because the 42-year-old icon showed her "nothing but love" in her first season in the WNBA. In fact, that treatment has led the All-Star forward to believe that she's special in the eyes of the legend.

"Oh, she showed me nothing but love," Reese told Unrivaled after the league's social media team asked the players about their Taurasi stories. "I ain't got no bad DT story, so I think I'm the favorite rookie."

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For what it's worth, though, Angel Reese might have some competition for Diana Taurasi's favorite rookie. Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson also shared that, unlike the players before her, Taurasi has been "nice" to her.

"The people her age probably got, like, beat up, but she was so nice to me," Jackson said in the same video. "She would always give me advice in the game. I love DT."

Jackson admitted that she has "heard some stories about" Taurasi, but she emphasized that the Phoenix Mercury great "loves" her.

Whatever the case may be, though, it's clear that Reese and Jackson will miss competing against Taurasi and learning from her.

Taurasi officially ends her career as the WNBA's all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points. She's also a three-time WNBA champion, three-time NCAA titlist and six-time Olympic gold medalist.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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