Angel Reese Q&A: Chicago Sky Star Talks WNBA Records, Unrivaled 3-on-3, Shaq Friendship
Thomas Neumann
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Angel Reese is already one of the faces of women’s basketball at age 22.
The Chicago Sky superstar famously won a collegiate national championship at LSU and garnered All-Star status as a WNBA rookie. She broke long-standing WNBA records with 13.1 rebounds per game and 15 consecutive double-doubles this season.
Reese also has capitalized on her athletic celebrity and scored lucrative endorsement deals with Reebok, Beats by Dre and Reese’s Pieces. She added a partnership with Cash App to her portfolio in a deal announced Monday.
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Reese recently participated in a Q&A with Athlon Sports via email while promoting her collaboration with Cash App. Here’s what transpired:
Athlon Sports: You set a league record with 15 consecutive double-doubles. How closely do you pay attention to statistical milestones as you achieve them?
Angel Reese: I’m truly not focused on my individual accolades. I’m always focused on our team and what we need to do collectively to win.
You’ve been linked to the new Unrivaled 3-on-3 league. What are your hopes for the league’s first season, and what do you want to accomplish by playing there?
Reese: I’m excited for the league’s first season! It’s amazing to be a part of a league that gives equity to players. I’m looking forward to playing with the best athletes and really using the time to focus on my game and getting better too.
Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has mentored you. How often do you speak to him, and what kind of advice does he share?
Reese: Shaq and I have always had a great relationship since the day we met, and he has been such a mentor to me both on and off the court. He reminds me that I need to stay focused on basketball, but I should always be developing my off-court businesses too. He’s a true businessman and has helped me develop that same business mindset.
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Your partnership with Cash App is the latest in an impressive endorsement portfolio. Tell us about the deal.
Reese: I’m very excited to be working with Cash App in a way that’s unique, authentic and designed to give back to fans in a variety of fun ways including giveaways, personally designed Cash App Card stamps, and an interactive game machine available for fans today at Fulton Market in Chicago.
I established the Angel C. Reese Foundation to empower girls and the next generation and it’s so special for us to collaborate with Cash App to renovate a community basketball court in the city of my alma mater, Baton Rouge. Louisiana and the wider Baton Rouge community have played such a pivotal role in my life and I’m thrilled to continue to give back there to grow the game and women’s sports for future generations.