It’s not easy being Angel Reese.
The rising WNBA star has reached another stratosphere of social media fame, and notoriety.
Just this year alone, Reese has graced the cover of Vogue Magazine and her name has been featured on McDonald’s cups and bags since the fast-food giant announced the “Angel Reese Special.” Before the new year, Reese’s “Unapologetically Angel” podcast was named one of Spotify’s Best New Shows of 2024.
On Friday night, Reese delivered the first 20-20 game in Unrivaled history with 22 points and 21 rebounds to help the Rose hand Napheesa Collier’s Lunar Owls their first loss in the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league.
Reese is striving to be the best basketball player and role model she can be, both behind the scenes and in the public spotlight. Reese also realizes she can always improve — she fouled out four points before her club secured the 72-63 win.
“It’s so much I can say. But for me, to keep going, it’s hard. It is hard. To live my life isn’t easy. And I don’t want to get emotional, but that’s why I put the work in every day,” Reese said, holding back her emotions during her postgame press conference.
“There are little girls that look up to me. There are the college girls that look up to me. And just being able to be an inspiration every day – that’s why I try to keep going through all the negativity.
“At 22, it’s hard living this life,” Reese added. “But I’m grateful. I’m blessed. And being here at Unrivaled has been the best thing for me.”
Reese was the WNBA’s leading rebounder at 13.1 per game as a rookie, despite her season ending prematurely due to a wrist fracture. She entered the league as already one of the most popular figures in women’s basketball after winning a national championship at LSU against Caitlin Clark and Iowa in 2023.
Playing in Unrivaled has allowed Reese, the No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, an opportunity to develop ahead of her second WNBA season.
Three-time WNBA champion Chelsea Gray, the Rose captain who had 26 points in the win over the Lunar Owls, teases Reese about rebounding Gray’s missed shots.
Rose coach Nola Henry allows Reese to be passionate and daring as a defender, while closely guarding her referee challenges … despite Reese’s insistence to use them.
Reese has even been coached up and encouraged by Lisa Leslie, one of the greatest to ever play the sport, who is commentating Unrivaled games.
The mentorship seems to already be paying off.
“I’m learning still. I’m growing. Just being able to be a sponge,” Reese said. “I have great coaches here that I listen to and take detail from, and encouragement, and advice from. So, I just think I’m surrounded by great people that put me in the right position.”
Reese is one of four players averaging a double-double in Unrivaled, along with Collier, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas, who played in just three games before sustaining a leg injury.
Reese has been a menace on the boards, leading the league in offensive rebounds, and ranks second overall with 11.4 rebounds per game. She only trails Thomas, passing Collier in the category after their game Friday night. Collier had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. It was her first game since winning $200,000 in Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 tournament last week.
“I just kinda have a knack for the ball. I have the mentality that anything I want in life, I’m going to get. And that comes to like, off the court, too, as you can see. I manifest anything I want in life,” Reese said.
“You got to manifest anything you want in life. I manifest I want that ball when it comes off the rim. And if I’m in front of, as a defender, I want that steal. Just being able to have that mindset – just really, really, really wanting it really bad.”
Rose teammate Brittney Sykes said Reese brings a “youthful feistiness” to the court that differs from her personality off the court.
“She’s a sweet, sweet kid, like a sweet girl. But obviously when we hit them four lines, it’s a dog-eat-dog mentality, and she takes it to heart,” Sykes said of Reese. “She’s really good at just timing, going to get the ball, having a nose for it. She’s like a Windex cleaner.”
Henry, a first-time head coach, loves the passion and investment Reese has when she’s on the floor, because every possession matters to her.
When Reese became the first Unrivaled player to be ejected from a game following two technical fouls on Feb. 1, Henry was encouraged Reese would learn and grow from the experience.
“It’s been such a pleasure to coach her,” Henry said. “She comes in with the same mindset, the same mentality, every day. You know what you’re going to get from her. You’re going to get a competitor. You’re going to get somebody that’s fun, that’s going to lighten the group up through competing.
“She brings a lighthearted youthfulness through competing and talking trash, and she’s been playing really well for us.”
Reese is prospering as an imposing defender and rebounder while continuing to improve her game offensively.
The most important thing to note about Reese’s game? She’s just getting started.
Having potential is one thing. Reese is on her way to manifesting it into something more.
“Just being able to see my growth. I put in the work, and a lot of people don’t see the work I put in. It’s great to see it come out there,” Reese said after her performance. “Obviously, I’m not done yet. And it’s just the beginning.”
This story was updated with new information.