Angel Reese keeps getting told to stick to basketball. However, the WNBA legend sees something else when she watches the Chicago Sky forward balance her playing career with endorsements, TV appearances, and business ventures. Ty Young knows that Reese isn’t quitting the sport. Instead, she’s coming up with a plan, and that’s exactly what she is supporting.

“What Angel Reese is doing by herself, you know, she’s a great kid that gets a lot of scrutiny, but she’s breaking barriers, and that’s the whole goal, like paving the way for the next generation. And that’s exactly what she’s doing. And it’s unfortunate that people criticize her and are like, ‘Oh, just play basketball,’ but no.

“You have to learn that you have to continue to build your brand. Basketball isn’t forever, and she herself is a business as well as a WNBA player. They’re gonna do what’s best for them, and I tell her all the time you have to do what’s best for you as well.”

If you look at what Reese has done off the court, it makes sense that Young would back her. She started her own line of shoes with Reebok, walked the runway for Victoria’s Secret, got a part in Season 2 of The Hunting Wives, and started the Angel C. Reese Foundation to help women and girls get equal treatment. Then there’s her podcast, Unapologetically Angel.

Because these activities provide the 23-year-old with greater exposure beyond the nearly 40 games that WNBA players compete in throughout the season, Young considers them to be strategic decisions.

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Reese will make her first appearance on Unrivaled in 2026 on February 20 at 8:45 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, and Max. She will be with Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Lexie Hull, Shakira Austin, and Sug Sutton.

Once Unrivaled ends, she’ll shift her focus to the Chicago Sky’s season opener against the expansion Portland Fire on May 9. However, that schedule could change if CBA talks go on into the spring.

But Reese has one more big thing to attend to before she even gets back to the WNBA grind.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark unite for Team USA qualifying tournament

For the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, Team USA has put together a roster that mixes new players with players who have won championships. The biggest story is that former college rivals Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark will finally wear the same jersey on the senior team.

The 12-woman roster includes five newcomers: Reese and Clark, along with Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen.

Reese posted on Instagram detailing how excited she was about the chance: “More Barbie hoops.”

Reposting USA Basketball’s announcement, Reese added, “Such an honor to represent the country. 🥺🙏”

Kara Lawson is the head coach of the national team, and Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, and Stephanie White are her assistants.

The tournament will be held in Puerto Rico from March 11 to 17, which gives the team about a month to work on their chemistry. Team USA is the defending champion after winning the last World Cup with an undefeated run that ended with an 83-61 victory over China in the finals. A’ja Wilson was named Finals MVP.

Do you think that they can bring back the gold again? Let us know in the comments.