Angel Reese reveals her deep longing for the Unrivaled court, admitting she misses the action despite her focus on recovery and lucrative opportunities.
Despite all the excitement and improvisation in the second season of the Unrivaled basketball league, there are a whole lot of WNBA superstars sitting out of the play. And there’s a good reason for Angel Reese to feel missing out on something.
Recently, after a highlight clip from Unrivaled’s inaugural season resurfaced on X (formerly Twitter) showing her taking charge of the Rose BC’s defense, Reese reposted it with a simple reaction.
“ugh i kinda miss it,” the WNBA star wrote.
Reese, who plays for the Chicago Sky, opted not to return for Unrivaled’s second season as she focused on recovery following a physically demanding stretch of basketball. The decision was rooted in health, not disinterest, but the emotion behind her response made it clear how difficult it’s been to watch from the sidelines after being such a central figure in the league’s debut.
The clip that sparked her reaction showed Reese doing what she does best. She shut down Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier on the perimeter, poked the ball loose twice, then sprinted the floor to finish the play in transition after a pass from Brittney Sykes. It was a snapshot of the motor and defensive intensity that have defined her rise at every level.
That same identity has carried over to her WNBA career. In a 30-game regular-season stretch, Reese averaged 31.6 minutes while producing 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. She added 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks, while averaging 3.9 turnovers. Reese shot 45.8% from the field, 18.2% from three-point range and 75.6% from the free-throw line, numbers that underscored how much of her value comes from activity and presence rather than perimeter shooting.
Across her career, the production has remained steady. Through 64 WNBA games, Reese has averaged 32.0 minutes, 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds, along with 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. Her career shooting splits sit at 42.1% from the field, 18.4% from beyond the arc and 74.6% at the line, with 3.0 turnovers and 3.5 personal fouls per contest. The numbers reinforce what shows up on film: Reese impacts possessions even when she isn’t the focal point offensively.
That translated seamlessly to Unrivaled’s first season. Reese was one of the defining players of the league’s debut year, leading it in rebounding at 12.4 per game, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors and anchoring the championship-winning defense. Her absence from the Season 2 roster was immediately noticeable when participants were announced.
At the time, many fans were disappointed but understanding. Reese had barely stopped playing basketball over the past two years. She went from college straight into her rookie WNBA season, dealt with a wrist injury, jumped into Unrivaled, then returned to the WNBA again, where a back issue cut another stretch short.
Still, missing competition is hard for players wired like Reese. During her offseason, she’s stayed close to the game in other ways, frequently attending Orlando Magic games while supporting Wendell Carter Jr.
She’s also expanded her presence beyond basketball, including becoming the first professional athlete to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Reese has been open about why those opportunities matter. She has spoken candidly about the realities of WNBA salaries and the importance of building income streams beyond the court. Even so, moments like her reaction to the Unrivaled clip make clear that the competitive pull hasn’t faded — it’s simply waiting for the right time to resurface.