The Angel Reese hype has just gone to another level. The Chicago Sky youngster has spectacularly recovered from her sophomore slump and has emerged as a top all-around player in the last week, or a “unicorn player” like she said. She set a WNBA record with her fifth straight game grabbing 15 or more rebounds, even in a tough loss to the Washington Mystics.

Over her last 10 games, she’s averaged 15.7 points, 5 assists, and 13.6 rebounds per outing. A triple-threat force, she’s also improved her long-range game, raising her 3-point shooting to 26.7% from 18.8%. Her graph on and off the court is trending upwards, as her anti-referee rant also received a positive response from the NBA fanbase.

Now her stocks have received a further boost as the two-time WNBA All-Star was named the cover athlete for the NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition. To make the occasion even more special, Reese debuted her first signature shoe with Reebok on the cover. Reese wrote on X after the announcement:

Reese getting her signature shoe further puts the spotlight on Nike and their treatment, or ‘lack of treatment’, of Caitlin Clark and her signature shoes. The fans have been calling for a signature shoe for Clark ever since her WNBA debut, but the brand prioritized A’ja Wilson over Clark. Her chief rival is getting a signature shoe and, in such a grand fashion, puts Nike on the spot to make the Caitlin Clark release even better.

Angel Reese signed with Reebok in October 2023, just ahead of her senior season at LSU, shortly after fellow Tiger and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal was named President of Reebok Basketball. Her decision was driven by a clear vision: to become the face of women’s basketball for the brand. Reebok, aiming to revive its legacy from the ’80s and ’90s, offered Reese a leading role in its resurgence, positioning her at the forefront of its global push to elevate women’s basketball.

In contrast, Caitlin Clark, while backed by Nike, is part of a broader cohort of women athletes within the brand’s portfolio. Though she’s had some of the ad spots like the 30-story ad at the JW Marriott with the tagline “From downtown in my town,” marking the largest sports graphic ever on the building. And recent releases like the Nike Kobe Protro PEs, Nike hasn’t centered its basketball push around her in the same way.

Reebok’s investment in Reese has been far more visible. She already has her own footwear and apparel collection, played a key role in the “Sport is Everything” campaign, and has now had her signature shoe officially announced, well ahead of Clark’s. By all measures, Reebok has made Reese the centerpiece of its basketball revival, and it shows. The frustration among fans and observers only grows with reports that Nike could make up to 150 million dollars from Caitlin Clark’s signature shoe alone, according to a well-known sneaker insider.

Despite this massive commercial potential and Clark’s breakout success in the WNBA, Nike has yet to make an official announcement about the shoe. While it is still expected to launch in 2026, the silence from the brand stands in sharp contrast to Reebok’s visible and aggressive push around Angel Reese. It highlights a disconnect between Clark’s market appeal and how Nike has chosen to respond, leaving many to see it as a missed opportunity to elevate one of the most influential athletes in women’s basketball.

Angel Reese Joins Elite List On The Cover Of NBA 2K

Being on the cover of NBA 2k is a big deal. It matters when we talk about representation and inspiring the next generation of athletes. Many of the kids today and in the past generation had their first brush with professional basketball players in this game. Kids spend hours on this game, which ultimately shapes their perspective towards the layers and basketball itself. Now Angel Reese has etched her name in history, joining a list of elite women who have been on the cover before.

Candace Parker, who had her jersey retired by her former franchise, the LA Sparks, where she won 2 WNBA titles, was the first woman to feature on the cover of NBA 2K22 WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition while playing for the Chicago Sky in 2021. The former WNBA MVP said at the time that she’s “humbled to be the first female cover athlete” and that she hopes “there will be many more badass females to follow.”

Parker was right, as Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi and Seattle Storm icon Sue Bird were next as they were featured on the NBA 2K23 WNBA Edition. Celebrating Sue Bird’s and Diana Taurasi’s career-long commitments to securing equal opportunities for women athletes, NBA 2K also partnered with the WNBA stars to donate $100,000 to Every Kid Sports, giving young people the opportunity to join youth basketball programs across the country.

New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu came next as she was the cover athlete for the NBA 2K24 WNBA Edition. She was the first young athlete, being 25 at the time, to be featured on the cover, paving the way for Reese. She was followed by another veteran, in the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson for NBA 2K25 WNBA Edition. Now it’s a time for youngsters once again as Angel Reese is the youngest one to be featured till now at the age of 23. After this feature, Reese has solidified her image as a role model for the next generation of basketball players.

Reese acknowledged the contributions of those who came before in her statement.  Reese said, “It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically. To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole. I’m proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women’s basketball and can’t wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before.”

Angel Reese’s rise marks more than personal success. It signals a shift in how women’s basketball is marketed and celebrated. Her NBA 2K cover and signature shoe debut at just 23 make her a defining face of the sport’s future. Meanwhile, Nike’s delayed rollout for Caitlin Clark feels increasingly out of step with public demand. Reese’s moment sets a new bar, and now the spotlight turns to Nike to deliver with the same energy and intent.