This article was written by Mark J. Burns and published in Sports and Countryis a new media company founded by Clay Travis based on sports, culture, original voices and live conversation.* * * * * *
Angel Reese’s In her layup struggle, she drew a lot of attention and scrutiny Women’s National Basketball League Profession. You’ve probably seen the entire social media mashup highlighting Reese’s inability to finish around the basket, like the video below from a game.
Now, about to become a free agent Sophie Cunningham with her Podcast co-host Drew Hanlon point directly to atlanta dream striker Struggled near the basket during WNBA Finals.
How does Angel Reese miss all these wide open layups in one game????????? https://t.co/qgPTG8nfCk
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) July 21, 2026
“That’s what’s holding her back, because in the second and third games, she looked so dominant,” Hanlon said on the latest episode. without hesitation.
Cunningham responded: “But that’s because she goes to the layup… She’s dominant because she goes to the layup.”
In Games 4-7, Reese made 12 of 45 field goals, with Hanlon describing those misses as “all layups.” Reese also committed a whopping 19 turnovers in four games.
“Improving her touch around the rim will ultimately make her the player she can be,” he said.
Sophie Cunningham and Drew Hanlen discuss Angel Reese’s lack of finishing around the rim:
“Improving her touch around the rim will ultimately lead her to become the player she can be…”
(Taken from @NoHesiShow) https://t.co/3OtuDFltCq
— Kyle Ingram (@SnapshotKyle) November 2, 2026
“She definitely looks like an MVP because she’s so consistent getting to the layup,” Cunningham said.
“She’s long, she’s strong, she can shoot… that’s always been the name of her game. I’m not going to say anything that hasn’t been said by anyone.”
Later in the podcast, Cunningham asked Hanlon why so many women’s basketball players miss open layups. She didn’t mention Reese by name, but it’s hard to say she didn’t have the three-time All-Star in mind when she asked the question.
“It’s a joke because it actually happened,” Cunningham said. “Like, what is that?”
Hanlon explained it’s a combination of athleticism, distance from the basket and an inability to absorb contact.
“But, man, are these open layups?” Cunningham said, and Hanlon laughed at the end.
“Honestly, I don’t have answers to some of these questions,” he said. “For those of you who are open, I can’t give you an answer. I don’t have one.”
Frankly, I don’t have an answer for you either, but you know what they say, practice makes perfect.
This offseason, you have to be ready to shoot.