A simple highlight reel turned into a full-circle moment for Angel Reese.

Recently, a fan shared a highlight reel on X showcasing Reese’s dominant moments from Unrivaled’s first season. The Chicago Sky star couldn’t help but react, replying “ugh i kinda miss it 😢”.

The response alone was enough to get Unrivaled’s attention. The league’s official account jumped into the conversation, calling Reese “Forever the BIGGEST and BADDEST 🌹👑.” The message pointed to her impact and her legacy with Rose BC as the defending champion, even in her absence.

Angel Reese was one of the defining faces of Unrivaled’s inaugural 2025 season. Wearing the Rose BC and jersey No. 5, she was teammates with Chelsea Gray, Azurá Stevens, Lexie Hull, and more, who have all returned this season. Reese showcased the league’s best scoring defense, allowing opponents just 65.2 points per game.

She led Unrivaled in rebounds per game at 12.2, and recorded the league’s first-ever 20-20 game, consistently filling the stat sheet throughout the season. Her performances included a 21-rebound outing against the Lunar Owls on Feb. 21 and a 23-point, 14-rebound performance versus Phantom.

Game after game, Reese made Unrivaled history even in ways she would not have wanted to. Among many firsts, Reese became the first player to be ejected from an Unrivaled game. The LSU alum was ejected after receiving back-to-back technical fouls in the second quarter against the Laces on Feb 2, 2025.

But the championship at the end made it all a nostalgic experience for Reese in this off-season, as Unrivaled is underway in Miami.

Why Angel Reese stepped away from Unrivaled this season

The 2025 Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year did not come back to the 3x3 format this time.

She opted to take time off to recover from the sustained injury after the long 2025 WNBA season. She played 30 of 44 games for the Chicago Sky while dealing with a back injury as the team finished 10-34.

But Reese is busy with other things in the offseason. From being at the Team USA training camp to preparing for her first signature shoe release with Reebok in February, Angel Reese has been in the headlines.

She also announced her role in Netflix’s The Hunting Wives Season 2, as well as voicing in Stephen Curry’s upcoming film GOAT.

All this, and Reese misses basketball. So, do you think she will be back for Unrivaled's next season?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi