Angel Reese, forward for the Washington Mystics, has officially introduced her first signature shoe amid her continued prominence in the WNBA. On July 9, Reebok announced the release of the Reebok Angel Reese 1, making Reese the fifth active WNBA player to have a signature basketball shoe. This marks another milestone for Reese, who has been the face of Reebok Basketball since the brand’s return to the sport nearly two years ago.
The new sneaker, first revealed in its primary “Diamond Dust” colorway, will coincide with Reese’s anticipated second WNBA All-Star appearance next week in Indianapolis. According to Aaron Dodson of ANDSCAPE, Reese joins the ranks of established stars including Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, and Jacy Sheldon, all of whom represent major footwear brands with their own signature shoes. Dodson highlighted,
“She notably becomes the 11th player in Reebok’s nearly 70-year history to receive a signature basketball shoe.”
Reese Featured on NBA 2K26 Cover with Signature Sneakers
In addition to her footwear launch, Angel Reese will appear on the cover of a special NBA 2K26 edition, cementing her cultural relevance beyond the court. Alissa Hirsh reported from Chicago that Reese is only the second WNBA athlete to receive this distinction, following A’ja Wilson’s cover appearance last year. Tyler Marsh, head coach of the Mystics, shared,
“She’s a star. You don’t get that type of acknowledgement if you’re not.”
From New Orleans, reporter Rashad Milligan confirmed that Reese sports the Angel Reese 1s on the cover, noting the brand’s promise:
“Reebok said the Angel Reese 1 will be ‘coming soon.’”
This connection between her signature shoe and the video game cover offers a strong visual message about Reese’s rising influence in both basketball and popular culture.
Detailed Collaboration Brings Reese’s Presence to Life in NBA 2K26
Angel Reese’s partnership with the NBA 2K franchise runs deeply, reflecting a dedication to authentic representation. Alyssa Mercante of ROLLING STONE described Reese’s involvement in the creation of her in-game avatar, explaining how she was
“scanned into the game twice: once right after she was drafted, and again a few months later to ‘make sure it was perfect.’”
Reese herself expressed pride in the creative control offered during this process.
“They let me have creative control and make sure they have my lashes, my edges, my ponytail, my leg sleeve. I love that they were able to be super creative and let us identify ourselves,”
she said. Mercante emphasized that this attention to detail underscores NBA 2K’s cultural significance for players and fans alike, describing it as
“an unspoken promise that the game will respect its stars and its player base.”
This approach cements the series as a cultural touchstone where basketball’s identity is honored as much as the game itself.
Angel Reese’s Growing Impact in Basketball and Culture
Angel Reese’s Reebok signature shoe release and NBA 2K26 cover appearance signify her expanding influence within the WNBA and broader sports culture. As a young star actively shaping her image on and off the court, Reese continues to set new standards for athlete representation and brand partnerships.
Her achievements not only celebrate personal success but also represent progress for women’s basketball in visibility and recognition. With her signature shoe hitting the market soon and the NBA 2K26 launch approaching, Reese’s presence is poised to grow even further, inspiring fans and fellow players across the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s injury?
A. Reese explained in a TikTok video on Sunday night, “I injured my hand when I fell after scoring an and-1. This caused a small bone crack.” The doctors said she could choose to have surgery or not.
Q. Does Angel Reese have a 1.6 GPA?
A. Reese completed her studies at LSU in March 2024, earning a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She focused on Communication Studies, Leadership Development, and Psychology. This indicates her GPA was higher than 2.0, which is required to graduate.
Q. What was Angel Reese’s injury?
A. They lost seven games straight before winning against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 6. Unfortunately, Reese then got a hairline fracture in her left wrist and needed surgery. With Reese unable to play, the team managed to win their next game but then lost the following five. “That ending was really disappointing for me,” she said.
Q. What did Angel Reese’s parents do?
A. Angel inherited her basketball skills from her parents, who both played basketball at college and professional levels.