Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky forward, is gaining praise from WNBA legend Ty Young for expanding her career beyond the basketball court. While many urge Reese to focus solely on playing, Young applauds her for balancing endorsements, media projects, and business ventures alongside her Angel Reese basketball career, viewing these moves as strategic for her long-term success.
Support From a WNBA Veteran for Reese’s Multifaceted Career
Ty Young recognizes that Angel Reese is not abandoning basketball but instead building a brand that will outlast her playing days. Young highlighted Reese’s ability to face criticism while paving the way for future athletes who want to do more than just compete professionally. Young expressed,
“What Angel Reese is doing by herself, you know, she’s a great kid that gets a lot of scrutiny, but she’s breaking barriers, and that’s the whole goal, like paving the way for the next generation. And that’s exactly what she’s doing. And it’s unfortunate that people criticize her and are like, ‘Oh, just play basketball,’ but no.”
Young further emphasized the importance of Reese creating opportunities for herself outside basketball.
“You have to learn that you have to continue to build your brand. Basketball isn’t forever, and she herself is a business as well as a WNBA player. They’re gonna do what’s best for them, and I tell her all the time you have to do what’s best for you as well,”
she said.
Angel Reese’s Ventures Off the Court
At just 23 years old, Reese has boldly ventured into several domains beyond the WNBA. She launched a signature shoe line in collaboration with Reebok and even walked the runway for Victoria’s Secret, signaling her crossover appeal beyond sports. Additionally, Reese has appeared on television as part of Season 2 of “The Hunting Wives” and founded the Angel C. Reese Foundation, which focuses on promoting equal treatment for women and girls.
Her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, offers another platform to cultivate her voice and influence. These activities provide Reese with significant exposure outside the WNBA’s roughly 40-game season, a factor Young views as vital for Reese’s sustainability and growth.
Reese is set to appear on the sports show Unrivaled on February 20, 2026, alongside other prominent players like Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Lexie Hull, Shakira Austin, and Sug Sutton. She will then prepare for the Chicago Sky’s season opener against the Portland Fire on May 9, although her schedule might shift depending on ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark to Join Forces for Team USA
Angel Reese, along with former college rival Caitlin Clark, will wear the same jersey for the first time as part of Team USA’s roster for the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament. This event takes place in Puerto Rico from March 11 to 17, 2026. The roster features a mix of seasoned champions and five newcomers, including Reese, Clark, Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen.
Reese conveyed her excitement on social media, calling it an “honor to represent the country.” She captioned a USA Basketball announcement with a simple but enthusiastic
Such an honor to represent the country. 🥺🙏
Led by head coach Kara Lawson and assistants Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, and Stephanie White, Team USA arrives as defending World Cup champions, having gone undefeated in the previous tournament. A’ja Wilson earned Finals MVP honors after the USA’s 83-61 win over China in the championship game. The team will take roughly a month to train together before the qualifier, building chemistry vital to their pursuit of another gold medal.
The Significance of Reese’s Expanding Role in Basketball and Beyond
Angel Reese’s pursuit of diverse opportunities reflects a changing landscape for professional athletes, especially women in sports. By building her brand and business ventures while continuing her basketball career, Reese challenges the expectation that athletes must limit their identities to the court. Her path could inspire the next generation of players to think broadly about their careers and legacies.
Ty Young’s endorsement represents wider support among established players who understand the finite nature of athletic careers and the importance of financial and personal growth beyond sports. Reese’s involvement with Team USA also highlights her ongoing commitment to basketball excellence, reinforcing that these ventures do not detract from her performance but instead enrich her professional trajectory.
As Angel Reese continues to balance her expanding roles, fans and observers will watch closely to see how she navigates these complex demands and reshapes the narrative around what it means to be a professional athlete today.
🎥| Ty Young talks about Angel Reese in a recent interview.
[via MadameNoire yt] pic.twitter.com/3L5eThj09f
— angel reese source (@ar5source) February 12, 2026
