Angel Reese’s two years in the WNBA have been hype, but with CC being her rival, that attention got swayed. Even her 2025 season didn’t end with a buzzer, but with a storm. A back injury sidelined her, a half-game suspension labeled her “detrimental to the team,” and her absence from the exit interview became social media’s favorite talking point. And the narrative was already set, ego-driven, overconfident, too much swagger for too little experience. But what if everyone got it wrong and her “ego” wasn’t arrogance at all?

During a recent episode of Unapologetically Angel, she exchanged words with rapper Common. As the guest asked her about the mentality that kept her going, AR replied, “I just trust my work. Like I put in countless days, countless nights, countless hours. So knowing that, like, if I miss six, I can make six more and I’m still at 50% or I can make seven and I’m over that.”

She added, “Like, and especially for me, like I know the team needs me and the team needs me to perform. And if I don’t have a positive mindset or if I’m not in the right mind, like I’m not, I’m useless… That’s any job. If anybody if you’re not picking up the slack or doing your job, your piece of the puzzle, like it’s not going to be complete. So, that’s just kind of how I’m always in with my mindset. Like knowing my team needs me and I don’t really want to let them down.” And we get it, Angel.

Ever since her controversial interview with the Chicago Tribune, the Chi-Town Barbie has faced a storm of criticism, even from her own teammates. Apologies were offered. She admitted in the same interview that she was “trying to stay open-minded” while on the team, but also made it clear she was “not settling for the same [expletive] we did this year,” referencing the team’s bottom-of-the-record. Yet, none of it seemed to change perceptions, as questions are still raised.

Ever since the beginning of the 2025 season, Sky’s been trying to unlock AR. At first, Tyler Marsh tried to expand her offensive skill set by placing more responsibility on herself. He pushed AR to develop her offensive game by taking more mid-range shots, improving catch-and-shoot, and creating more off-the-dribble opportunities. But all she did was help Sky, especially since Vandersloot went down with a season-ending torn ACL.

So, Marsh tried to utilize Reese more as a point forward, allowing her to initiate offense. And as she operated from the high post, she not only created more opportunities for herself but also for her teammates. And yes, that’s not it. Unlike many bigs who stick near the basket, AR’s perimeter defense allows her teammates to operate freely. She guards multiple positions from post to beyond the three-point line. This offers Sky flexibility and confidence in defensive games.

Reese’s ability to disrupt passes, create steals, and generate turnovers halts opponents while leading to transition opportunities for her teammates. Even when she secures a defensive rebound or loose ball, she’s quick to push it forward to find an open teammate, creating high-percentage scoring chances. So yes, she’s more of a team player. However, as her mates doubted her intentions and after the locker room chaos, AR isn’t focusing on just BB anymore!

After controversies, Angel Reese is in her enjoying mode this offseason!

With the end of the 2025 season, AR is ensuring to make waves with her offseason moves. “This offseason, I am looking forward to resting, vacations, working out, and I already started again, Pilates. I am back in Florida, so I am so happy. This weather is amazing… Jumping in the pool, doing fun stuff,” she revealed during her podcast show.

And yes, while she didn’t mention making history, she’s doing it already. As per a recent announcement on her Instagram account, she will be walking the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 15th in New York City. It will be the first time that a pro athlete will walk the runway in the iconic fashion show.

“I’m finally getting my wings — I’ll be walking the Victoria’s Secret 2025 runway show for the first time, and it feels like destiny. Wings on, heels ready … Catch me on the runway,” she captioned the post. Well, for her, fashion has always run parallel to basketball.

But there’s a twist: this offseason, we might not be seeing her hooping. Despite her being part of the Unrivaled debut and part of the winning team, her name was nowhere to be found on the latest list of 46 participating players. So what do you think? What will happen?