Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky standout and former Defensive Player of the Year, made a surprising return to the Unrivaled three-on-three basketball league last week after initially deciding to skip the 2026 season. Reese rejoined her team, Rose BC, contributing significantly despite having not played competitive basketball since the WNBA season concluded in September.
In her first game back on Friday, Reese scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a loss to Hive BC. She followed up with a strong performance on Sunday, recording nine points and an impressive 15 rebounds in a close 70-66 win against Laces BC, which secured Rose BC’s place in the playoffs. Reese later shared several highlight photos from her return, drawing attention and sparking discussion among fans online.
Fan Reactions and Speculation Following Reese’s Comeback
Several supporters on social media suggested that Reese’s presence remains a psychological factor for opponents, particularly Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. One fan tweeted,
“You mean she’s living rent-free in CC’s head?” a fan tweeted.
Reese’s impact goes beyond just her statistics; last season, aside from helping Rose BC claim the inaugural Unrivaled championship, she earned Defensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the All-Unrivaled Second Team, highlighting her importance to the league and her team.
Insights from Angel Reese on Her Decision to Rejoin Unrivaled
Following her second game back, Reese addressed the unexpected nature of her return in a media session. She clarified that her original plan was to rest during the offseason to focus on recovery from a lingering back injury sustained in the 2025 WNBA season and to manage other off-court priorities.
However, persistent invitations from her teammates, coaches, and other league figures encouraged her to reconsider and come back to help push Rose BC toward the playoffs. Reese described how the timing aligned with her being in Australia and how quickly she made the decision to return.
“From the first day Unrivaled started, they’ve been calling me to come back,” Reese said on Sunday. “They’ve been really consistent because they love me here and I love Unrivaled as well. Everybody’s called me, from all teams to my coaches to my teammates, to come back. And obviously, I had some other things that I needed to do and also prioritize my health.
“When it was time for me to come back, it was literally, I was in Australia and they were like, you wanna come back? And I’m like, all right. I was on the beach last week, and now I’m here. I ain’t played basketball in five months, so just continuing just to just to have the feel for the game feels really good.”
Upcoming Schedule and Playoff Outlook for Rose BC
Rose BC now prepares for one more regular-season game against league leaders Phantom BC on Friday. The Unrivaled playoffs are set to begin the following day, with the semifinals scheduled for Monday and the championship game to close the week on Wednesday. Reese’s unexpected return is seen as a critical boost for her team’s efforts to capture a second title.
This comeback reflects Reese’s dedication to balancing recovery and competition, as well as her deep connection to the Unrivaled community. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how her contributions influence the playoff race and her ongoing career trajectory within both the WNBA and Unrivaled.
Angel Reese with a post. 😂🤭 pic.twitter.com/pvnLKRwdhH
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) February 23, 2026
Angel Reese spoke postgame about her decision to come back to #Unrivaled pic.twitter.com/twe3umptPu
— Wendell Epps (@epps_wendell) February 23, 2026
