Angel Reese: Redefining the Game On and Off the Court
Over the past two years, Angel Reese has rapidly ascended to become one of the most recognizable and influential athletes globally. Currently in Australia for the launch of her signature shoe line with Reebok, the WNBA star sat down to discuss how she’s reshaping the landscape of sports and beyond. Photographed by Jesse Lizotte and styled by Isabella Mamas, Reese embodies a new era of athletic stardom.
As Joan Didion famously wrote, being 23 is marked by “the conviction that nothing like this…has ever happened to anyone before.” While often a wry observation, in the case of 23-year-old Angel Reese, it rings remarkably true. Her experiences are, demonstrably, unique.
From Maryland to LSU and Beyond
At 18, Reese was the highest-ranked recruit to ever join the University of Maryland’s basketball program. Two years later, her transfer to Louisiana State University (LSU), the alma mater of Shaquille O’Neal, proved transformative. She led the women’s team to its first-ever National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Championship. Now, just two seasons into her Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) career with the Chicago Sky, she’s a bona fide superstar.
In early February, at Bondi Icebergs in Sydney, Reese celebrated her latest achievement: the release of her signature shoes in collaboration with Reebok – the brand’s first partnership with a WNBA player in nearly three decades. “Shaq and Allen Iverson did a great job of putting Reebok on the map,” Reese explains. “Think about AI and his swag, on and off court. And Shaq, well, he’s just this big, fun guy. It’s more than business with him, it’s friendship. Shaq was actually coached by one of my coaches, and he was the one who asked me if I wanted to sign with Reebok.”
Reese prioritized creative control throughout the design process of the Angel Reese 1, ensuring the shoe was versatile enough for both on-court performance and off-court style. The launch at Bondi saw many fans already sporting the new sneakers, including players from Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL). The initial US release sold out in under 24 hours.
A Rising Tide for Women’s Basketball
“When I was younger, there weren’t really projects like this happening for women,” Reese reflects. “But seeing where the league is now, there are four or five of us that have our own shoes and there are so many more to come. It’s an example of where women’s sports are right now. It’ll continue to rise, and being a part of that is something I’ll never forget.”
The growth of the WNBA is undeniable. In 2025, regular-season games averaged 1.3 million viewers on ESPN networks, and the US fanbase is estimated at 119 million. Australia’s WNBL is looking to replicate this success, and CEO Jennie Sager believes players like Reese are key. “Angel Reese commands attention not only because of her performance, but because of her personality, confidence and authenticity,” Sager states. “Players like Angel are helping bring new audiences into women’s basketball by turning games into must-watch events and athletes into mainstream figures.”
Beyond the Court: Fashion, Film, and Philanthropy
Reese’s impact extends far beyond basketball. She’s become a fashion icon, gracing the pages of Teen Vogue and Vogue, and even walking the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – a first for a professional athlete. She’s also ventured into acting, with roles in Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite and the upcoming second season of Netflix’s Hunting Wives.
Driven by a strong sense of family and community, Reese launched The Angel C. Reese Foundation in July 2023, providing basketball camps and financial literacy programs for young girls from underprivileged backgrounds. She’s also committed to supporting her loved ones, recently paying off her mother’s mortgage and sharing her success with her teammates.
“I don’t have biological sisters, so every team I’ve been on has been my sisterhood,” she says. “I want my family and friends to know they can count on me to be there for them.”
Looking Ahead
Angel Reese’s story is one of talent, determination, and a refusal to be confined by expectations. She embodies a new generation of athletes who are redefining what it means to be a star. As she continues to break barriers and inspire others, one thing is certain: Angel Reese’s journey is just beginning.
