Breaking barriers from the runway to her signature Reebok shoe, Angel Reese champions female empowerment and unapologetic ambition on and off the court.
The game of basketball has changed dramatically over the past few years. And it changed to an even greater degree in the WNBA. One of the many stars the league has produced, Angel Reese, seems to be doing something good. Very good.
At 23, the Chicago Sky star is building a résumé that stretches far beyond the hardwood.
The WNBA standout recently made history as the first professional athlete to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, sharing a runway with some of the biggest names in modeling. For Reese, the moment was less about shock value and more about intention.
“As a woman’s basketball player, not a lot of people expect me to do anything else,” Reese said at her recent Reebok x Angel Reese 1 Collection launch. “Nobody expected me to walk the runway. Nobody expected me to have my own shoe. There’s so many barriers that I’ve had to break.”
The runway appearance, however, was a full-circle moment. Reese recalled dancing in Victoria’s Secret sweatpants as a kid. Years later, she walked the catwalk wearing pink lace and her signature confidence, reinforcing a message she repeats often: women, especially women athletes, do not have to stay in one lane.
That mindset also defines her growing partnership with Reebok. After initially signing an NIL deal in college, Reese transitioned into a multiyear professional contract and launched her signature sneaker, the Angel Reese 1.
Additionally, multiple colorways have sold out quickly, underscoring both her commercial appeal and cultural reach.
Reese has been hands-on in the design and campaign process. Executives at Reebok have credited her with helping the brand reconnect with a younger audience. For Reese, though, the partnership had to align with her values.
“When it comes to brand partnerships, they need to reflect who I am on and off the court,” she said. “I look for partners that empower young women and allow me to show up authentically.”
Her off-court expansion does not stop at fashion and footwear. Reese recently parlayed a social media post about Netflix’s hit series The Hunting Wives into a Season 2 casting opportunity. “I literally manifest my entire life,” she said, a statement that reflects how deliberately she approaches every move.
Financially, the strategy makes sense. Rookie-scale WNBA contracts remain modest compared to other major leagues, pushing many players historically to compete overseas in the offseason.
Reese, however, represents a new model. With endorsements, investments, and media ventures, she has built a multimillion-dollar brand while still in the early stages of her pro career.
Still, basketball remains central. Her rebounding dominance helped her make an immediate impact in the league, and she continues to prioritize performance alongside business growth.
For Reese, the broader goal is clear. “All the women belong in the front,” she said. “You’re going to get a couple no’s, but that one yes can change your life.”
She is not waiting for permission. She is setting the blueprint.