HOUSTON — Angel Reese has declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft. The LSU star and SEC Player of the Year announced her intentions for the draft in an interview with Vogue Magazine titled “Angel Reese is Taking Her Talents to the WNBA.” Experts project Reese as a top-10 selection in the upcoming draft.
In the article, Reese stated: “I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,” Reese said. “I’ve won a national championship, I’ve gotten [Southeastern Conference] Player of the Year, I’ve been an All-American. My ultimate goal is to be a pro—and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready.”
She’s an influential business figure in sports. Reese, “The Bayou Barbie,” already has over 5 million social media followers, a NIL deal with Reebok, and partnerships with Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Mercedes-Benz, AirBNB, Beats by Dre, and ZOA.
The loss to Iowa hurt the LSU faithful but not Reese’s impact and marketability. During her post-game interview, she expressed her frustrations with handling pressures outside the basketball court after leading LSU to win the 2023 NCAA Women’s National Championship.
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark could become for the WNBA what Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were for the NBA in the 80s and 90s. The arrival of the two legends propelled the professional league into a different stratosphere — so can Reese and Clark do the same for the WNBA.
Monday, April 15, will be one of the most important for the struggling league as the draft will have emerging stars entering the league. Most will be well prepared for the limelight and exposure.
Angel Reese may not be selected as the overall selection in the WNBA Draft, but it shouldn’t matter. Her determination to become one of the league’s best players will make her a recognizable figure worldwide, enhancing the WNBA brand and market demand.
