Angel Reese has already established herself as one of the WNBA’s top rebounders and a regular All-Star. However, Sophie Cunningham and NBA trainer Drew Hanlen believe one part of her offensive game still needs work.

During an episode of “No Hesitation” on Monday, the two discussed Reese’s missed shots around the basket and why improving her finishing could take her game to the next level.

Sophie Cunningham and Drew Hanlen Identify Angel Reese’s Biggest Offensive Weakness

Hanlen acknowledged that Reese has worked on her free throws and three-point shooting. However, he believes her ability to finish close to the basket remains the biggest area holding her back.

“This is the thing that holds her back because in Games 2 and 3, she looked so dominant… She was making her layups,” Hanlen said.

Cunningham agreed and added that she was dominant because she was making her layups.

Hanlen then highlighted how the forward sometimes complained to officials after missing shots, which disrupted her ability to get back on defense. The 37-year-old added that Reese needs to make finishing around the rim a priority during the offseason.

The discussion also acknowledged the work Reese has put into her shooting. While her regular-season 3-point percentage increased from 18.2% in 2025 to 19.3% in 2026, she made a much bigger jump in the playoffs, shooting 37.9% from beyond the arc.

Her free-throw shooting also improved from 72.1% in the regular season to 77.8% in the playoffs in 2026. Reese averaged 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds across 43 regular-season games, showing the value she already brings to Atlanta.

Hanlen acknowledged that the Dream forward has already built an impressive career, but believes her offensive development can take her further.

“Improving her touch around the rim is ultimately what’s going to lead her to being the player that she can become… Just offensively, that’s the next step,” he said.

Reese had some impressive performances during the seven-game series against the Golden State Valkyries. She recorded 30 points and 16 rebounds in Game 2, followed by 21 points and 12 rebounds in Game 3. Atlanta won both games, with the three-time All-Star’s production helping the Dream take a 2-1 series lead.

However, her efficiency dropped considerably over the final four games. Reese made just 12-of-45 field-goal attempts during that stretch, shooting 26.7% from the field. She managed to put up a combined 38 points during that run while the Valkyries went on to close out the series 4-3 to clinch their first championship.

The drop in production underlines the concern raised by Hanlen, who described many of the missed attempts as layups. While the overall field-goal figures do not separate layups from other shots, the two specifically pointed to her finishing around the basket as an area that needs improvement.

For Reese, the message from Cunningham and Hanlen is straightforward. Converting more of the close-range chances she already creates could be the next major step in her game.