WNBA standout Angel Reese is scheduled to make her return to the Unrivaled league and rejoin Rose BC on February 20, the league confirmed Wednesday. Although Reese was not initially expected to compete this season, her arrival now provides a significant boost to Rose BC’s playoff ambitions in Unrivaled’s ongoing campaign.
Reese’s Previous Impact and Defensive Prowess
Last season, Reese demonstrated her dominance by averaging 13.3 points, a league-leading 12.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 46.9%. Her strong defensive skills earned her the Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year award. While playing a key role in Rose BC’s second-place finish with an 8-6 record, Reese missed the playoffs due to a hand injury. Despite her absence, Rose BC secured the league’s first championship by defeating Lace BC and Vinyl BC.
Double-double machine. She’s somebody who has a knack for rebounding and just goes after it,
Chelsea Gray, Reese’s teammate on Rose BC, told ESPN.
It’s really hard to do that consistently. It’s a lot on your body. It’s a mindset that you have to have, and it’s one she’s had this whole time.
Rose BC’s Challenging Season Without Reese
Without Reese this season, Rose BC’s performance has faltered, and they currently hold fifth place with a 5-6 record. With only three games remaining in regular play, the team needs to maintain a position within the top six to qualify for the playoffs. In a recent move, Rose BC traded Azurá Stevens to Hive BC in a four-team deal, creating the roster space needed to reinstate Reese for the crucial final games.
Upcoming Matches Crucial for Rose BC’s Playoff Hopes
Rose BC’s remaining schedule includes:
- February 20 vs. Hive BC at 8:45 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max
- February 22 vs. Laces BC at 8:45 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max
- February 27 vs. Phantom BC at 1 p.m. ET on truTV and HBO Max
The single-elimination Unrivaled playoffs will commence on February 28, placing strong emphasis on Rose BC’s performance in these final contests.
Challenges Faced by Reese in 2025 WNBA Season
Reese endured a difficult conclusion to her 2025 WNBA season, battling a back injury and serving suspensions from both the league—due to accumulating technical fouls—and her team, the Chicago Sky, for publicly criticizing teammates in a contentious interview. Despite these setbacks, at a Team USA training camp in December, Reese expressed her intention to return to the Chicago Sky roster in 2026.
Reese’s Motivation to Return to Unrivaled
In a recent podcast episode, Reese revealed that she missed the developmental opportunities Unrivaled offers. She stated,
I can try stuff, I can do whatever, and I can take it and implement it to the W,
highlighting how the league allows her to experiment and grow her game ahead of the WNBA season.
Upcoming WNBA Season and Current Negotiations
The 2026 WNBA season is slated to begin on May 8; however, its start remains uncertain due to ongoing negotiations between the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association over a new collective bargaining agreement. The outcome of these talks will likely influence Reese’s and other players’ preparations in the months ahead.
