Unapologetically Angel: Reese’s Reebok takeover, Hollywood dreams and building an off-court empire

SYDNEY — Angel Reese is no stranger to the spotlight, and as she enters her third season in the WNBA, her off-court presence is just as formidable as her work on the hardwood. 

The 23-year-old has quickly become one of the faces of women's basketball, with her impact and influence reaching every corner of culture, with the sneaker world her next endeavour.

Reese, who signed a historic NIL deal with Reebok while she was still in college at LSU, before signing an extension after her rookie WNBA season to become the face of the brand's basketball division, joins a group of just five WNBA players to have their own signature sneaker. Her release of the Angel Reese 1 in 2025 has already proven to be a hit.

"It's crazy, I didn't think I was going to be able to sell out three shoes the first time I was able to sell my shoes, so it's a blessing," Reese told The Sporting News.

The seventh colourway of her signature sneaker, the "Rose Dust" is releasing early, exclusively at Foot Locker Australia, just in time for Valentine's Day. 

"They're beautiful. I love pink. I think every shoe that I've had has a story with it. The "Diamond Dust" were the first ones that I had, coming from Baltimore, and the diamond out of the rough, and just being able to be here.

"So these are the Rose Dusts, and they're just so pretty, and I love them. It just speaks value into who I am, just soft and feminine. I really love it."

Once upon a time, Reebok ruled the hoops world, with Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson flying the flag through the late '90s and early 2000s, with two of the sport's biggest cultural icons, taking the brand into the stratosphere. 

Fast forward 20-odd years, after an on-again, off-again hiatus from basketball, Reebok is making its way back into the hoops lexicon, with the Hall of Fame duo now the President and Vice President of Basketball, anointing Reese as the new face of the brand and leaning into her crossover into the fashion world to reshape Reebok's sneaker offering.

"Reebok is back, baby," Reese added. "I mean, shout out to Shaq and AI, they laid the ground for me, and they did a lot of great things for Reebok.

"But just being able to bring it back, especially as a woman, woman of color, and being able to be the forefront of everything, we're just going to continue to thrive in the basketball world, but also in the fashion world, doing a lot more collabs, and just doing a lot of great things, so stay tuned."

In addition to Reese, Reebok has signed fellow WNBA players DiJonai Carrington (Minnesota Lynx) and Lexie Brown (Seattle Storm), along with NBA players Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls) and Tre Mann (Charlotte Hornets).

Hollywood is Angel Reese's next calling

Reese continues to push the envelope on her off-court activities, whether it be walking the Victoria's Secret runway, appearing on the cover of Vogue magazine, or hosting her podcast, with her next move reflecting her rising stardom — Hollywood.

"I love acting," Reese said. "I think when I was younger, you do it in the mirror and act like something. But the first one I did was House of Dynamite with Idris Elba, and that was so cool because Idris is my favorite actor, male actor.

"So just being able to be a part of that and then being able to do 'The Hunting Wives' was so cool because I watched the show genuinely, and I was able to be in Season 2. So I'm so excited for that to come out."

Reese is set to appear in Season 2 of the Netflix drama, which releases in 2027, and while basketball remains her main focus, Reese says showcasing her other interests is as much about doing new things as it is about challenging herself and inspiring others.

"Taking a risk can change your life," Reese added.

"I've been able to step in rooms that I never thought I was going to be able to. I ask a lot of questions and just learning from other people.

"I don't think I know everything. I think it's important to fill yourself with so many different people and pick their brain. That's just how I operate. I try to make friends with everyone and try to be in business with everyone, just so I can have an opportunity to learn.

"I'm just really grateful to be able to be in so many different rooms and expand my horizon. Hopefully, young girls are inspired by what I'm doing."