Dec 7, 2025; New York, New York, USA; WNBA players Paige Bueckers (l) and Angel Reese (r) sit courtside during the game between the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2025; New York, New York, USA; WNBA players Paige Bueckers (l) and Angel Reese (r) sit courtside during the game between the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Going back and forth between the on-court rivalry and off-court friendship, WNBA star Paige Bueckers once shared what exactly about Angel Reese makes her a much-desired teammate.
Surprisingly, it doesn’t involve the Atlanta Dream star’s on-court prowess or her hallmark defensive impact as a rebounding machine. In 2024, a 22-year-old Bueckers revealed that it had to do with Reese’s competitiveness.
“She's just ultra-competitive. You can tell when you're her teammate. She just instills this confidence within you and makes you believe in yourself even more than you already do,” said Bueckers, per an X post by Chey Sheisty. “She's definitely the type of player you would love to have on your team.”
Bueckers and Reese’s friendship precedes their WNBA tenure, dating back to 2020, when they were selected as the No. 1 and No. 2 players in their recruiting class. They played for Team USA, and the bond remained solid ever since.
They navigated several off-court appearances and endorsement deals together, notably a co-branded campaign for the Reese’s Oreo Cup in 2025.The duo emerged again during the FIBA qualifiers in March.
However, while Bueckers’ words highlighted her admiration for Reese years ago, that admiration remains unchanged even today.
Paige Bueckers Praised Angel Reese Recently
In the Dream vs the Dallas Wings match-up on May 12, Reese helped her team secure a 77-72 victory with 12 points and 16 rebounds. But pregame, Bueckers gave a massive nod to Reese’s competitiveness once more.
“I love Angel as a competitor. We’re great friends off the court as well. She just brings the best out of you,” she said during a radio interview on the 105.3 The Fan YouTube channel.
“She’s a (trash) talker just like me,” Bueckers added further. “So, to be able to have that fun aspect just to begin the season, it’ll be really cool. Happy for her. I know she’s happy in Atlanta.
The two of them will reunite as teammates again in September, for the FIBA final in Berlin. With that being said, are you excited to see this duo in action? Let us know in the comments.
Follow She Got Game for more.
Written by
Deblina Roy