Angel Reese Bio
Angel Reese (born May 6, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and formerly for Rose BC of the Unrivaled basketball league. Nicknamed ‘Bayou Barbie’ and ‘Chi Barbie’, she played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins and LSU Tigers. Reese is known for her impressive skills on the court, breaking records in rebounds and double-doubles during her collegiate career, and has continued her excellence into her professional journey.
Early Life and Background
Angel Reese was born on May 6, 2002, in Randallstown, Maryland, to Angel and Michael Reese. She learned how to play basketball from her mother at a very young age and grew up playing against her brother, Julian, in their driveway. Reese competed in a recreational league in Baltimore County, where her mother also played. She emerged as one of the best players in the city and had success playing above her age group and on boys’ teams. In addition to basketball, she took part in ballet, gymnastics, swimming, and track during her childhood. Reese often attended Washington Mystics games and drew inspiration from Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Candace Parker and Maya Moore, as well as former National Basketball Association (NBA) player and Baltimore native Muggsy Bogues. Reese attended Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a four-year varsity basketball player under head coach Jerome Shelton. Early in her career, she was teammates with future WNBA player Nia Clouden. Due to her size and athleticism, she could play all five positions and entered the starting lineup midway through her first season. As a freshman, Reese averaged 11.1 points and 11 rebounds per game, earning All-Metro first team honors from The Baltimore Sun. She helped her team win the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) A Conference title and finish the season with a 30–1 record. Her team suffered its only loss to Hamilton Heights Christian Academy at the High School Nationals semifinals, where Reese recorded 20 points and 24 rebounds and made a putback shot to beat the buzzer and send the game to overtime.
Path to Basketball
Reese was considered a five-star recruit, the number two player and the top wing in the 2020 class by ESPN. By her junior season of high school, she held scholarship offers from over 24 NCAA Division I basketball programs, including Maryland, South Carolina, and Louisville. On November 1, 2019, she announced her commitment to Maryland, becoming the highest-ranked recruit in program history. Her other finalists were South Carolina, USC, Syracuse, and Tennessee. On November 13, Reese signed a National Letter of Intent with the program. She was drawn to Maryland because of its proximity to her home, head coach Brenda Frese, who had recruited her since eighth grade, and assistant coach Shay Robinson. Reese entered her freshman season in the starting lineup for Maryland, primarily as a power forward. Despite being a freshman, she was praised by head coach Brenda Frese for her leadership. On November 27, 2020, she made her debut for Maryland, recording a season-high 20 points and nine rebounds in a 94–72 win over Davidson at the Gulf Coast Challenge. In her fourth game, she suffered a Jones fracture in her right foot after landing awkwardly during the opening minutes. She underwent surgery and was sidelined until February 23, 2021. Reese came off the bench following her return from injury.
Angel Reese Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Reese returned to a starting role in her sophomore season. She described the season as a ‘redemption year’ and regained confidence from before her injury as a freshman. In her season debut on November 9, Reese recorded 21 points and 14 rebounds in a 97–67 win against Longwood. She was named first-team All-Big Ten and made the conference’s All-Defensive Team. She led fourth-seeded Maryland to the Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA tournament, where she recorded 25 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in a 72–66 loss to first-seeded Stanford on March 25. On April 5, 2022, Reese entered the transfer portal with several of her teammates. She later explained that she wanted a fresh start and a coach who would develop her into a stretch four to prepare her for the WNBA. On May 6, 2022, LSU announced that Reese would transfer to their program. She made the decision due to her trust in head coach Kim Mulkey and a desire to join a ‘winning culture’.
Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Reese made her debut for LSU on November 7, 2022, recording 31 points and 13 rebounds in a 125–50 win over Bellarmine. She posted 32 points and 15 rebounds in an 88–42 victory over Lamar on December 14. Reese helped LSU win its first national championship, posting 15 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a 102–85 victory over Iowa in the title game. She won the tournament Most Outstanding Player award and set the NCAA single-season record with 34 double-doubles. Reese was selected by the Chicago Sky with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. In her rookie season, she was named a WNBA All-Star and set the league single-season record in rebounds. She finished the year averaging 13.6 points, a WNBA-record 13.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
Notable Works and Milestones
Angel Reese is known for her remarkable achievements, including being a two-time WNBA All-Star and a member of the WNBA All-Rookie Team. She was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and has received several awards, including the BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year and the Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award in 2023.
Angel Reese Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Angel Reese has received numerous nominations, reflecting her impact on the sport and her exceptional talent on the court.
Angel Reese Awards Won
Angel Reese has won several prestigious awards, including the BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year and the Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award in 2023.
Angel Reese Family
Angel Reese’s mother, Angel Reese (née Webb), played college basketball for UMBC, where she was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Her father, Michael Reese, played basketball for Boston College and Loyola (Maryland) before embarking on a professional career. Reese was raised by her mother and maternal grandparents.
Personal Life
Angel Reese has expressed interest in broadcasting and modeling after her basketball career. She has established a large social media following, which grew rapidly after her junior season in college. Reese has been nicknamed the ‘Bayou Barbie’ after transferring to LSU, and she filed for a trademark on the nickname in her first season at LSU.
