Angel Reese doesn’t just crash the boards—she crashes expectations, closets, and the occasional high-fashion runway. Long before she was snatching rebounds like snacks in her rookie WNBA season, the self-proclaimed “Bayou Barbie” was making waves as a pint-sized fashionista.
Apparently, Reese’s journey to becoming a dual threat on the hardwood and in haute couture started with a childhood routine that could’ve made her mom consider investing in a closet security system. “I was always in my mom’s closet,” Reese shared in Vogue’s Winter 2025 issue. “Putting on her stuff. I liked to carry a purse. Hair done. I wanted to look put together. I still do.”
So, what do you get when you mix a basketball prodigy with a mini runway diva? A player who rebounds like Dennis Rodman but dresses like Rihanna. Reese credits early episodes of America’s Next Top Model (complete with living room catwalk reenactments) for inspiring her fierce, unapologetic confidence.
The Fashion Forward Athlete
Fast-forward to today, and Reese isn’t just playing basketball—she’s rewriting the rules of what it means to be a female athlete. Whether she’s attending the Met Gala, dazzling at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, or curating her own Reebok collection dubbed “Angel’s Picks,” Reese proves she’s just as comfortable in a designer gown as she is in a Chicago Sky jersey.
But don’t let the fashionista tag fool you into thinking Reese is all glitter and no grit. She set the WNBA ablaze in her debut season, smashing records like it was her full-time job (because, well, it kind of is). How about this stat line for your rookie scrapbook?
- A single-season record for total rebounds (446).
- Most rebounds per game in a season (13.1).
- A historic streak of 15 consecutive double-doubles.
If that doesn’t impress you, she also became the first player in league history to grab 20+ rebounds in back-to-back games. Let’s just say opposing players spent more time watching her rebound than the ball itself.
A Season of Triumph and Heartbreak
Of course, Reese’s Cinderella rookie year came with its fair share of glass slipper moments—and not the kind she’d wear at Fashion Week. Her season ended abruptly due to a wrist injury, leaving the Chicago Sky to miss the playoffs without their rebounding machine.
But like any good show, the Reese saga has a thrilling sequel on the way. Next stop? Unrivaled’s inaugural season, where she’ll suit up for Rose BC. The new league tips off on January 17, with games airing on TNT, truTV, and streaming on Max. If her track record is anything to go by, fans can expect Angel Reese to dominate both the court and post-game pressers.
The Future Is Reese
What’s next for the Bayou Barbie? Aside from posterizing opponents and walking red carpets, Reese seems poised to continue building her fashion empire and inspiring young athletes to embrace every facet of their identity.
“Basketball and fashion—those are my two loves,” Reese told Vogue. “I’m just getting started.”
And frankly, we believe her. Angel Reese doesn’t just play the game—she reinvents it, whether it’s in sneakers or stilettos.
