Angel Reese Bio
Angel Reese (born May 6, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Rose BC of the Unrivaled basketball league. A versatile forward known for her rebounding and competitive fire, she first rose to national prominence at the University of Maryland and Louisiana State University (LSU), where she led the Tigers to a national championship in 2023. She is widely regarded as one of the most recognizable young stars in the women’s game, with a large social media following and endorsement deals across multiple industries.
Nicknamed the “Bayou Barbie” during her time at LSU and later “Chi Barbie” with the Chicago Sky, Reese has built a brand that reaches well beyond the court. She has appeared in major fashion magazines, walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and become a fixture in NIL-era marketing. Her combination of size, athleticism, and outspoken personality has made her one of the most discussed players of her generation.
Early Life and Background
Angel Reese was born on May 6, 2002, in Randallstown, Maryland, to Michael Reese and Angel Reese (née Webb). She learned the game of basketball from her mother, a former college player at UMBC who also played professionally in Luxembourg. Reese grew up competing against her younger brother, Julian, in the family driveway and quickly emerged as one of the best young players in the Baltimore area. She also participated in ballet, gymnastics, swimming, and track during her childhood, which helped her develop the coordination and balance that would later define her game.
Reese played in a Baltimore County recreational league and often competed against older players and boys’ teams. She drew inspiration from WNBA stars Candace Parker and Maya Moore, as well as Baltimore native Muggsy Bogues, and regularly attended Washington Mystics games with her family. In her AAU career with Team Takeover, she was coached by Ron James and played alongside future WNBA talents Madison Scott, Mir McLean, and Jakia Brown-Turner. By the time she reached high school, she was considered a five-star prospect and the second-ranked player in the 2020 class by ESPN.
Path to Basketball
Reese attended Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, where she was a four-year varsity player under head coach Jerome Shelton. She won four straight Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) A Conference championships and finished her high school career with 1,720 points and 1,250 rebounds. Her number 10 jersey was retired on January 31, 2020, making her the first female player in program history to receive the honor. She was also named a McDonald’s All-American, though the game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On November 1, 2019, Reese announced her commitment to the University of Maryland, becoming the highest-ranked recruit in program history. She chose the Terrapins for their proximity to home, head coach Brenda Frese, and the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. After two seasons with Maryland, she entered the transfer portal in April 2022 and committed to LSU on May 6, 2022, citing her trust in head coach Kim Mulkey and a desire to join a winning culture.
Angel Reese Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Reese debuted for the Maryland Terrapins on November 27, 2020, recording 20 points and nine rebounds in a 94–72 win over Davidson. Her freshman season was cut short by a Jones fracture in her right foot in December 2020, but she returned to help Maryland win Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. She was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and helped the Terrapins reach the Sweet 16 of the 2021 NCAA tournament.
As a sophomore, Reese became a dominant post presence, averaging 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game and earning first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors. She became the first Maryland player to average a double-double since Angie Scott in 1975. After Maryland’s season ended in the Sweet 16, she entered the transfer portal and joined LSU, where she would reach the pinnacle of college basketball.
LSU Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Reese made an immediate impact at LSU, scoring 31 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in her debut on November 7, 2022. She went on to break the SEC single-season rebounding record and set a program record with 20 consecutive double-doubles. On February 16, 2023, she posted a career-high 36 points and 20 rebounds in a win over Ole Miss. She led the Tigers to their first national championship, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a 102–85 victory over Iowa in the title game. She was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 NCAA Tournament and set the NCAA single-season record with 34 double-doubles.
As a senior in 2023–24, Reese was named SEC Player of the Year and a first-team All-American by the USBWA and WBCA. She led LSU to the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA tournament, where the Tigers fell to Iowa in a rematch of the previous year’s championship game. Across two seasons at LSU, she averaged 14.4 rebounds per game, the highest mark in SEC history. She finished her college career as one of the most decorated players in program history.
WNBA Era (2024–Present)
Reese was selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA draft. She made her debut on May 15, 2024, and quickly set records, including a 15-game double-double streak that surpassed Candace Parker’s league mark. On September 1, 2024, she broke the WNBA single-season rebounding record previously held by Sylvia Fowles. She finished her rookie year averaging 13.6 points and a league-record 13.1 rebounds per game and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
In her second season, Reese earned her second All-Star nod and was named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week in July 2025. She missed significant time due to a back injury but led the league in rebounding for the second straight year. On April 6, 2026, the Sky traded her to the Atlanta Dream. In her debut with Atlanta, she recorded 11 points, 14 rebounds, and a game-saving block to beat the Minnesota Lynx 91–90.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reese is listed at 6 feet 3 inches and is praised for her exceptional mobility, explosiveness, and rebounding instincts. She is an outstanding putback scorer due to her anticipation and tenacity around the rim, and her long wingspan allows her to generate steals and blocks at a high rate. While her perimeter shooting has been labeled a weakness, her ability to handle the ball like a guard and her passing vision have made her a matchup problem for opposing defenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reese became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 500 points and 500 rebounds, doing so in just 38 games. She also became the fastest forward and third fastest player overall to record a triple-double. Her rivalry with Caitlin Clark, sparked by her 2023 championship game gesture, has drawn national attention and helped elevate the visibility of women’s basketball.
Angel Reese Career Wins
Reese has won at every level of competition, including a high school state title, an NCAA championship, and an Unrivaled championship. She has earned All-Star, All-American, and conference player of the year honors, along with the 2023 BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year and the Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award.
WNBA Highlights
In her first two WNBA seasons, Reese was named an All-Star in 2024 and 2025 and led the league in rebounding both years. She set the WNBA single-season rebounding record in 2024 and has earned WNBA Peak Performer recognition for her rebounding prowess.
Other Wins & Performances
Reese helped Rose BC win the inaugural Unrivaled championship in 2025 and was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. At the international level, she helped Team USA win a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup in Mexico.
Angel Reese Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Reese comes from a basketball family. Her mother, Angel Reese (née Webb), played college basketball at UMBC and professionally in Luxembourg, where her jersey was retired. Her father, Michael Reese, played college basketball at Boston College and Loyola Maryland before a professional career overseas. Her younger brother, Julian, played college basketball at Maryland and went on to play in the NBA. Her cousin, Jordan Hawkins, also plays in the NBA and won an NCAA championship at UConn in 2023.
Personal Life
Reese was raised by her mother and maternal grandparents, Curtis and Barbara Webb. She majored in interdisciplinary studies at LSU and communications at the University of Maryland, College Park, and has expressed interest in broadcasting and modeling after her playing career. She launched the Angel C. Reese Foundation in July 2023 to empower girls through sports, education, and financial literacy.
2025 Season Performance
Reese’s 2025 season began with a strong start before a back injury limited her availability in the second half. She was named to her second WNBA All-Star Game and earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors in July after averaging 19.7 points, 17.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. Her aggressive rebounding style continued to anchor the Chicago Sky, and she remained among the league leaders in double-doubles despite the injury setbacks.
Off the court, 2025 was a landmark year for Reese’s brand. She became the first female athlete to have a meal named after her at McDonald’s, and her first signature basketball shoe, the “Angel Reese 1” with Reebok, was released. She also walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October 2025, becoming the first professional athlete to do so. With the 2026 trade to the Atlanta Dream, Reese entered a new chapter in her career with fresh playoff aspirations.
