Angel Reese’s loyalties are unwavering! Once calling Michael Jordan the “only person I really want to come to a game,” the Chicago Sky star implied that she was a big fan of the Chicago Bulls legend. Despite never having met him, Reese might still be looking forward to MJ attending one of her games. But does that mean she also supports his Jordan brand? Not necessarily!

Replying to a Dearica Hamby’s tweet, Reese had asked, “when you teaching me how to play spades?” Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper replied to Reese in turn, correcting her to “*US”. In the same chain, Hamby then posted a short clip of what looks like playing cards with the Jordan brand logo on it, with the Sparks veteran captioning it, “Got cards in my purse at all times 😂😂”

But Reese was not having that. She responded, “Oh Mama D, I’m sorry, but I’m not playing with that brand of cards…” While she may be an MJ fan, her loyalties clearly lie with Reebok, the brand that signed her on for a signature shoe coming out in 2026. Reebok, owned by Authentic Brands, was valued at $20 billion by Bloomberg in 2023, and its stock has only risen more since then.

Copper replied to Hamby, also seemingly disagreeing and pushing Adidas, “Woaaahhhhhh /// stripes only.” The Mercury player, who is a native of Philadelphia, had partnered up with the brand to create the ‘Just a Kid from Norf Philly’ Exhibit Select 2.0 PE, that Adidas’ X page posted back in July 2024.

Where MJ might be beloved, the WNBA players have their own brands to support. Nevertheless, Reese had said in an interview with WGN9 after the Draft this year, “I want Michael Jordan to come to a game. I’m telling you right now, I want Michael Jordan to come to a game. I’ve never met him. That’s the only person I really want to come to a game.”

But where Jordan may be one of the NBA greats, the Sky No. 5 is more known for her association with Reebok’s basketball president, Shaquille O’Neal.

The tangle of Angel Reese, Shaquille O’Neal, Reebok, and WNBA

The LSU connection may have brought Reese and ‘Uncle’ Shaq together but Reebok has continued that bond. In Dec., the sports apparel brand announced a multi-year partnership with the WNBA to become an official footwear supplier for the league. In addition to Reese, the Sparks’ Lexie Brown is also a Reebok athlete.

Shaq, who became the President of Reebok Basketball in 2023, expressed that he was looking forward to working with the W when the news was announced.

Reese, for her part, said, “Reebok has been such an amazing partner and advocate for women in sport. As strong female athletes, we can use our platform to set an example for young players coming up in the sport. I’m happy to see the WNBA and Reebok supporting one another because I know that together we’re so much stronger and our reach is so much further.”

Although her signature shoe may still be a year away, Reese is clearly looking forward to this collab, which is expected to increase Reebok’s presence in basketball. The Jordan brand may be iconic, but Reebok is older!