Angel Reese's 3-point leap fuels Dream's title run — SkimNews
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- Angel Reese rebuilt her jump shot from scratch before the 2026 season, making 19 3-pointers in one year with the Dream after totaling 12 in her first four professional and collegiate seasons combined.
- Karl Smesko personally oversaw Reese’s pregame shooting routines and daily development, emphasizing patience and relationship-building as central to her transformation.
- Angel Reese made 8 of 17 (47.1%) 3-pointers in the 2026 playoffs, including two in Game 3 of the Finals, and has hit at least one 3 in five of six postseason games.
- The Atlanta Dream are 15-0 when Reese makes a 3-pointer, going 9-0 in the regular season and 6-0 in the playoffs, as her perimeter threat forces defenses to adjust.
- Karl Smesko called Reese “very well might be the most improved player from the beginning of the season to right now,” citing her work ethic and technical overhaul.
- Angel Reese admitted she was initially embarrassed by her shooting struggles upon joining the Dream, but now feels confident and trusts the process Smesko implemented.
Why it matters: The Dream’s title contention hinges on Reese’s expanded offensive role, which has shifted defensive schemes and unlocked their offense—proving that late-stage skill development can reshape a player’s impact and a franchise’s trajectory in a single season.
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