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56 minutes ago
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Kelsey Plum did not hesitate when asked to identify one WNBA player capable of selling out an entire arena. Her answer was not Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson or one of her Phoenix Mercury teammates.
“One player to sell out the whole arena? Angel Reese,” Plum told Boardroom.
Plum’s immediate response was a significant endorsement of Reese’s growing drawing power. The Atlanta Dream forward has developed into one of the WNBA’s most visible stars since entering the league in 2024. Clark remains the player most closely associated with the league’s recent surge in attendance and television audiences, but Plum’s choice showed that Reese has built a substantial audience of her own.
That following is no longer driven exclusively by social media or her personality. Reese’s production has made her one of the league’s most impactful frontcourt players.
Angel Reese has turned attention into production
Reese entered the World Cup break averaging 16.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals for Atlanta. She also earned Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks while helping the Dream establish themselves as one of the league’s strongest teams.
Reese has combined that performance with an enormous digital following. She has more than five million Instagram followers, along with endorsement relationships that keep her visible well beyond game nights. Atlanta has felt the effect at the ticket window. The Dream extended their franchise-record home sellout streak to 50 games earlier this season, reflecting the increased interest surrounding Reese and the rest of the team.
Her reach has continued during the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. Reese helped Team USA complete a perfect group phase while averaging 8.7 points and six rebounds in a reserve role.
MORE: Caitlin Clark stands alone for Team USA in eye-opening FIBA rankings
Plum knows what it takes to become a major WNBA attraction. The three-time champion has spent years as one of the league’s most recognizable guards and understands that star power requires more than a strong statistical line.
Reese brings production, personality and a loyal audience willing to follow her from team to team and platform to platform.
Whether she could single-handedly sell out every arena is impossible to measure from one response. Plum’s refusal to pause before answering was still telling. The WNBA has several players capable of creating a major event whenever they arrive in a city. In Plum’s view, Reese belongs near the very top of that list.
English (US)