The basketball world did a double take this week when Unrivaled, the buzzy 3-on-3 offseason league co-founded by WNBA icons Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, dropped its initial list of players for Season 2 — and Angel Reese’s name was missing.
The announcement immediately sent social media into a frenzy. After all, the 23-year-old Chicago Sky forward has been one of the most talked-about players in the WNBA — both for her dominance on the court and her magnetic personality off of it. Her absence raised eyebrows, sparked rumors, and reignited the question that seems to follow her everywhere: what’s really going on with Angel Reese?
Reese’s rookie and sophomore campaigns were nothing short of headline material. She led the league in rebounds two years in a row, became a double-double machine, and established herself as one of the fiercest competitors in women’s basketball. But her second season ended abruptly — with suspensions, a lingering back injury, and swirling controversy that left her sidelined since September 3.
Since then, Reese has been busy building her brand. She’s launched a podcast, partnered with major fashion and lifestyle brands, and even made headlines as a new Victoria’s Secret Angel — a crossover move that only solidified her pop culture appeal. But when it comes to basketball, fans have been waiting for her next move.
That’s why her absence from Unrivaled’s roster hit hard. The league — designed to give WNBA players a competitive domestic alternative during the offseason — has become a proving ground for top-tier talent. Fellow stars Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald all made the list, along with several of Reese’s on-court rivals. But Reese? Nowhere in sight.
“How is Angel Reese not in Unrivaled? She’s literally built for this kind of platform,” one fan tweeted.
“No Angel, no watch,” another wrote bluntly, echoing the disappointment of thousands across social media.
Sources close to the situation say Reese’s absence might not be permanent — Unrivaled is expected to announce more players closer to tipoff — but the silence from both the league and Reese herself has only fueled speculation.
Some believe she’s taking time off to fully recover from her back injury and mental exhaustion after a chaotic WNBA season. Others wonder if behind-the-scenes tension, either with the league or sponsors, could be keeping her out — especially after her late-season suspension for “detrimental comments” about her Chicago Sky teammates.
What’s clear, though, is that Reese’s influence looms large even when she’s not playing. Her name trends whenever she posts. Her absence gets more attention than most players’ victories. And in a world where personality drives fandom, Angel Reese is still the story.
For now, Unrivaled’s lineup moves forward without her — but the buzz hasn’t stopped. In fact, it’s louder than ever.
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