Welcome to the WNBA, Angel Reese. No champion can say they don’t welcome the battles without having the battle scars as proof. The Sky’s rookie continues to play steadily with the Chicago Sky during their 86-82 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night. Reese had a couple of hard falls at the hands of veteran forward Alyssa Thomas. The last tumble was from a Flagrant 2 penalty, resulting in Thomas’ ejection from the contest.  

It’s like Alyssa Thomas was deliberately trying to take Angel Reese out. She’s notorious for playing like this & could’ve seriously injured Angel. Alyssa shouldn’t have even joined the #WNBA & should’ve gone into the WWE instead because this is ridiculous. It’s embarrassing… pic.twitter.com/oq8aporAQb

— Sha Hartley (@shahartley) May 26, 2024

Media and fans posted negative commentary about the level of physicality of Thomas’ play, but Reese’s postgame remarks shed a different light. “It’s not just because I’m a rookie,” Angel Reese said. “I’m a player. I’m a basketball player. They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. I mean, I want them to come at me every day. I want them to come at everybody. I mean, they’re not supposed to be nice to me. I hope you all know that.”   

Angel Reese on that hard foul by Alyssa Thomas which led to an ejection: “They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. … They’re not supposed to be nice to me. … Thank you AT for sending a message to me because I got back up and I kept going.” pic.twitter.com/tZUsMjSm8g

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) May 26, 2024

Whether people agree or not, basketball is a contact sport in which hard and tough fouls occur by accident and on purpose. “They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie. Like, thank you, AT, for sending the message to me because I got back up, and I kept going, and kept and kept pushing. Like, me and AT have been cool since we were in Maryland. So I know it’s no hard feelings, and I appreciate her for going out here every day for today.”

Angel Reese tonight

13 points
5 rebounds
44% FG

pic.twitter.com/HA4txsGgdT

— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 26, 2024

Reese finished the highly competitive matchup against Thomas with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.   After four professional games, the rookie forward has averaged 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 assists.  

One aspect of her game you can admire, is her willingness to clash and extend playing time. Reese’s minutes have gone from 26, 25, 31, to 33, as head coach Teresa Weatherspoon is developing trust in her young player.

LSU’s recent graduate, Angel Reese, showcased her potential with another solid performance in her second game. The rookie forward was one rebound away from her first double-double as a professional in 25 minutes of game action. Reese registered 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists in the win.

This Chicago Sky team is gonna be something special. Teresa Weatherspoon brings the energy & passion

And how great is it that Angel Reese has the respect of vets just two games in? Love seeing the relationship between her and T-Spoon #SkyTown #WNBA pic.twitter.com/Ip5wXMKsjR

— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) May 19, 2024

Brands are strategically aligning themselves with women’s basketball, recognizing the sport’s potential in today’s marketplace. The partnerships forged by influential women in basketball, such as Candace Parker, A’ja Wilson, and Angel Reese, are clear indicators of how corporations can significantly enhance their brand exposure, position, profits, and influence by investing in women’s sports.

CANDACE PARKER AND ADIDAS

Candace Parker, after retiring, is “entering a new chapter as President of adidas Women’s Basketball,” which was power personified for me when I read today’s announcement in my inbox. She joins her TNT cohort, Shaquille O’Neal at Reebok, as another president of a sports apparel maker.   Her story is an inspiration to all aspiring athletes and business leaders.

“Stepping into this new leadership role is a deeply personal next step in my journey with adidas,” Candace Parker, President of adidas Women’s Basketball, said about her new position. “From high school to college to playing pro to now, this appointment by adidas symbolizes a shared commitment to making impactful change and setting new benchmarks for the future of women’s sports. It’s not just about products; it’s about fostering a movement focused on innovation, representation, and access.”

would be kind of dope if Candace Parker’s first move as pres of Adidas was to bring A’ja Wilson over from Nike and get her a signature shoe pic.twitter.com/0gIzOVwkDb

— Lyndsey D’Arcangelo (@darcangel21) May 8, 2024

“We are honored to be a part of Candace’s historic legacy as she transitions from signature athlete to this new leadership role within adidas Basketball,” Eric Wise, Global GM at adidas Basketball, stated. “As a true innovator with a profound passion for the game, we are confident that she is a perfect fit to evolve the adidas Women’s Basketball business and catalyze a new era of growth and credibility for the brand.”

The historic announcement continued, “Parker is set to play a pivotal role in building upon the brand’s storied women’s roster—which boasts all-stars like Aliyah Boston, Hailey Van Lith, Kahleah Copper, Aaliyah Edwards, Chelsea Gray, Betnijah Laney, Alysha Clark, Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike, and Erica Wheeler, among others. Rounding out her role, she’ll also be overseeing adidas Women’s Basketball products lines.

This role underscores the brand’s commitment to amplifying women in Basketball and its recognition of Candace’s enduring impact as a driver of change and advocate for the sport. A visionary both on and off the court, Parker once again shatters the glass ceiling as she heralds a new era of inclusive and transformative leadership in the sports industry.

Candace’s appointment to President of adidas Women’s Basketball is effective immediately.”   

Effective immediately, and take note. Black women in sports business efforts are wielding powerful swords – and, they’re bringing the money.

GATORADE INKS A’JA WILSON 

Let’s see. She’s the WNBA’s two-time MVP, Finals MVP, back-to-back league champion, Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, five-time WNBA all-star, gold medalist, and former league rookie of the year. Oh yeah, the Las Vegas Aces star is a best-selling author who won a national championship with Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks.  

Many believe it was overdue for a well-known brand to “come to their senses” by partnering with the WNBA superstar, A’ja Wilson. Tuesday’s press releases featured Gatorade inking a deal with Wilson to become a brand ambassador like Zion Williamson, who is for the sports beverage maker.  

Wilson told SLAM Magazine: “That’s why I was so geeked when I got it [the Gatorade deal] because I’m like, I’ve been drinking this forever. Orange Gatorade will forever be my life. I love that. I love that flavor. It’s No. 1 for me. It really dates back to the high school days.” 

A little BTS…
xo @naomiosaka x @Reese10Angel pic.twitter.com/f0mIwyhL15

— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itsshacarri) May 7, 2024

ANGEL REESE

The Chicago Sky rookie forward Angel Reese joined a product campaign with world champion Sha’Carri Richardson and tennis star Naomi Osaka to promote the new Beats By Dre “Beats Solo 4” headphones.    

Angel Reese plans to gift her Sky teammates and coaches Beats headphones — and keep hooking them up with her endorsement deals throughout the year.

“Wherever they want to go, we going.” pic.twitter.com/LBA1lptBW3

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) May 7, 2024

I’m seriously so glad Angel Reese gets to be coached by Teresa Weatherspoon. A perfect fit. pic.twitter.com/UCx91jBxe2

— Farrah Yvette (@farrah_yvette) May 8, 2024

She told Chicago media that she plans to give the headphones to her new teammates.

The 6-7 Cardoso will anchor inside the paint with scoring, rebounding, and an athletic defensive presence. The native of Brazil helped the Gamecocks win the 2023-24 NCAA National Championship with a win against No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark and Iowa.

The Sky made a bold move, trading up to the seventh spot to secure power forward Angel Reese from LSU. Reese, the 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year, is a versatile player known for her exceptional defensive and rebounding skills.

But that’s not all. Reese has shown herself to be a playmaker and creates fouls from defenders, sending her to the free-throw line. Her leadership led the LSU Tigers to the 2023 National Championship, a testament to her potential and the impact she can bring to the Sky.

The tandem immediately makes Chicago one of the most formidable defensive and rebounding forces in the WBNA. Both players were overwhelmed with emotion during their post-draft interviews.

National championship head coaches Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey were in the audience watching their stars get drafted by the Sky.

Coach Weatherspoon could set a foundation with a highly competitive frontcourt that knows how to win at the highest level, sharing the spotlight in Chicago.