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“I Was Wrong”: Candace Parker Addresses Angel Reese Tier Rankings Going Viral for the Wrong Reasons Before WNBA Finals

WNBA superstar Candace Parker has publicly acknowledged her past misjudgment of Angel Reese’s talent, reversing her controversial 2025 tier ranking of the then-Chicago Sky rookie. In a viral clip from Parker’s podcast *Post Moves*, she admitted placing Reese in the second-lowest tier (a C) last year, despite the young forward averaging 13.5 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.

Parker’s initial assessment, shared in a July 2025 interview with *Complex Sports*, framed Reese’s role as primarily an offensive rebounder rather than a primary offensive threat—a stance she now calls incorrect. Reese, drafted seventh overall in 2024 alongside Caitlin Clark, has since flourished, leading the Atlanta Dream to the WNBA Finals this season and earning Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Parker’s reversal highlights Reese’s explosive growth, including her league-leading rebounding totals in each of her first two campaigns and her pivotal impact alongside teammates like Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada after being traded to Atlanta mid-season. The Hall of Famer’s candid apology underscores how Reese’s dominance—both statistically and on the defensive end—has redefined expectations for her career trajectory.

The resurfaced debate stems from Parker’s original tier list, where Reese ranked alongside Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks. Parker now concedes her earlier evaluation failed to account for Reese’s rapid development, calling the Dream’s Finals run and her individual accolades undeniable proof of her elite status.

‘I was wrong,’ Parker stated, emphasizing Reese’s ability to carry teams as a dual-threat force. The admission has reignited discussions about how young players like Reese are reshaping the WNBA’s landscape, with Parker even joking that multiple draft teams might wish they could ‘redraft’ their picks to secure her services earlier.

Reese’s journey—from a C-tier prospect to Finals MVP candidate—serves as a testament to her resilience and the evolving standards of excellence in women’s basketball.

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