January 26th 2025.
Kahleah Copper, a talented player in the WNBA, recently shared her experience as a mentor to fellow basketball player Angel Reese in their new 3-on-3 pro league. The team they both play for, Rose BC, has had a rough start in the league called Unrivaled, which was co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. According to Sports Illustrated, they currently have a disappointing 0-2 record, with their most recent game ending in a 79-70 loss to Lunar Owls BC on January 18th.
During the game, Reese scored 12 points and had a shooting percentage of 50%, but she struggled with a few shots close to the basket. This was a recurring issue for her during her rookie season playing for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA. As a teammate and a fellow WNBA player for the Phoenix Mercury, Copper decided to offer some advice to Reese.
Copper shared on NBC Sports' On Her Turf that the night before the game, Reese had a tough time finishing her shots. As someone who also relies heavily on finishing at the rim, Copper could relate and wanted to help Reese improve. "I know how that feels because I play heavy at the rim. So coming off a heavy finishing night, it's like 'I need to work on my finishes,'" Copper explained.
Unrivaled is a nine-week league that offers players an alternative to playing overseas during the offseason. It began on January 17th and is hosted entirely in Miami. With only two games played so far, there is still plenty of time for Reese to develop her finishing skills with Copper's guidance.
Many sports analysts are eager to see how Reese will improve under Copper's mentorship after a rocky start. Copper's advice to Reese is to create a routine and work on her finishes after practice every day. "What people don't understand is that little bit that you do every day, that s*** adds up," Copper said. She also wants to help Reese stay mentally strong, which can be challenging in such a competitive sport.
Copper believes that her experience as a player who has been in similar situations can be beneficial to Reese. "So just walking her through that and helping her understand that it's not just you. I've been there," Copper said. "You know, you look at a player like, 'Ok you've been there, and you've done the things that I want to do and would like to accomplish.' So I trust that." Reese, who recently returned to the court after an injury, will have the support and guidance of her teammate Copper as she continues to grow as a player in Unrivaled.
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