A reporter caught flack for asking Angel Reese what seemed like a complimentary question about her off-hand finishing:
Reporter: “Off-hand finishing, how much did you work on that? Your right hand was working a lot tonight.”
Angel: “I’m right-handed.”
The moment sparked debate—but the question wasn’t out of line. In fact, it was rooted in observation.
Reese regularly finishes and shoots with her left hand, (images below), even though she identifies as right-handed. That’s not unusual in basketball—plenty of elite players shoot with their non-dominant hand, including LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Rudy Gobert, Chris Paul, James Harden and Lisa Leslie.
What is unusual, though, is finishing this inefficiently around the basket. Here’s how Reese’s numbers compare with other well-known players:
| Player | 0-3 (5) ft FG% / League Avg. | 3 (5) -10 ft FG% / League Avg. |
|---|---|---|
| Angel Reese | 44.5% / 59.6% | 11.1% / 35.7% |
| Lisa Leslie | 59.7% / 59.6% | 40.3% / 35.7% |
| Lebron James | 71.4% / 59.5% | 49.4% / 45.6% |
| Kyrie Irving | 62.8% / 59.5% | 46.1% / 45.6% |
| Russell Westbrook | 67.8% / 59.5% | 43.6% / 45.6% |
| Rudy Gobert | 66.1% / 59.5% | 60.2% / 45.6% |
| Chris Paul | 66.7% / 59.5% | 53.7% / 45.6% |
| James Harden | 65.9% / 59.5% | 47.1% / 45.6% |
Note: WNBA stats cover 0–5 ft and 5–9 ft; NBA uses 0–3 ft and 3–10 ft. Lisa Leslie’s stats are from 2009. Others are from the 2024 season.
Reese’s finishing at the rim is well below league average and far behind her peers. That’s not a knock—it’s a data point. If the goal is to elevate her game, exploring adjustments and technique are fair game. The numbers tell a clear story: she’s got work to do around the rim, and her handedness may be part of it.
