Angel Reese reveals the dating quality her partner must have amid Wendell Carter Jr. romance

Angel Reese is sharing the secret behind the success of her relationship with NBA star Wendell Carter Jr.

Reese and Carter Jr. went public with their relationship last year after they started spreading romance rumors when he attended her 23rd birthday party in May. The Magic star confirmed their romance in November 2025 with FanDuel.

“Y’all gonna find out when y’all need to find out," he shared at the time. "We’ll just leave it at that. That’s my girl, though. We locked in for sure.”

Now, in a podcast episode with former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, on the IMO podcast, Obama asked what she thinks about the current dating scene. 

"Finding someone that doesn't care about all the extra stuff. I don't want you to fantasize over me because of what you see on social media," Reese said when Obama asked about her take on modern dating and what she's looking for.

She shared that she is very intentional with her dating and that having her own success is helpful in that process. Reese added that keeping her privacy when it comes to dating is also something she is committed to doing.

"You know I'm that girl. But at the end of the day, when we go home, you're still a genuinely good person. And I have my own [success], so I don't need to be with someone for their own," Reese added. "So, it was very intentional for me. One, I date privately. That's what I've learned over the years... But I haven't had a hard life on the dating scene."

Lastly, she shared that she gives herself grace during the dating process, given her age -- Reese will be 24 in May -- and what quality she looks for in a partner.

She later said, "Just finding the reality of what genuine love is like. I'm young, and still figuring things out. And I think you find someone that is helping you learn this life thing at the same time. Like I said, I'm big on loyalty. You ride with me, I'mma ride with you. Through any and all. So as long as we doin' that, and rocking, then we're gonna be okay." 

This follows Reese's post earlier this week when she shared Carter Jr. dunking on her rumored ex, Jalen Duren. Duren and Reese were rumored to be dating around July and August 2024. Neither of them confirmed a romance during that time, but it was suggested they were dating after posting similar vacation videos and Reese repping the team's merch.

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