Angel Reese has become the face of Reebok, marking her as the second WNBA star to have a signature shoe with the brand. Initially skeptical, she was convinced to sign a deal by her mentor, Shaquille OāNeal, during her college career.
Key points
Angel Reese is the second WNBA star with a signature shoe from Reebok.
She was initially skeptical about signing with Reebok.
Shaquille OāNeal convinced her to sign the sneaker deal.
Reese discussed her experience on Michelle Obama's podcast.
Mentioned in this story
Shaquille OāNealReebokWNBAMichelle Obama
Angel Reese
Photo collage of Angel Reese and her signature shoe.
Angel Reese is the second WNBA star to have her shoe with Reebok, but she wasnāt convinced the company could handle a superstar like herself at the beginning of her career. While speaking with Michelle Obama on her āIMOā podcast, Reese revealed how her mentor, Shaquille OāNeal, persuaded her to sign a massive sneaker deal with the brand during her time in college.
Angel Reese Was Against Signing With Reebok At The Begining Of Her Career
On the latest episode of āIMOā with Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, Reese got candid about her relationship with Los Angeles Lakers alum OāNeal, who is now the president of Reebok basketball.
During the episode, Reese revealed that she began speaking with OāNeal about signing an NIL (name, image, and likeness) deal with Reebok before she won the NCAA championship in 2023. However, the former Chicago Sky player admitted she wasnāt interested in working with any shoe company at the time.
After defeating Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes during March Madness, everything shifted for Reese. āAll the different shoe brands started reaching out,ā she said, but Reebok made a promising offer she couldnāt pass up.
āI want to go where Iām prioritized, and to be prioritized as a Black woman, and helping a brand come back and regenerate where it was, that was really important to me,ā she said. āThey didnāt have a woman who was the face of their brand, and Shaq told me, āYou could be the face of Reebok.'ā
Q&A
Why did Angel Reese initially hesitate to sign with Reebok?
Angel Reese was skeptical about whether Reebok could handle a superstar like herself at the beginning of her career.
Who convinced Angel Reese to sign a sneaker deal with Reebok?
Shaquille OāNeal, her mentor and president of Reebok basketball, persuaded her to sign the deal.
What is significant about Angel Reese's deal with Reebok?
Angel Reese is the second WNBA star to have her own signature shoe with Reebok, highlighting her rising status in women's basketball.
When did Angel Reese discuss her Reebok deal?
Angel Reese talked about her Reebok deal on the latest episode of Michelle Obama's 'IMO' podcast.
Related Articles
Sports
The more time Rosenior got, the worse Chelsea became
Liam Rosenior's time at Chelsea started strong but ended in decline.
Sky SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
Soccer
Chelsea part company with Rosenior
Chelsea has sacked Liam Rosenior after just 107 days in charge.
Sky SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
Sports
Women's boxing divisional rankings: New No. 1s at super middleweight and atomweight
Women's boxing sees new champions at super middleweight and atomweight divisions!
ESPN NewsĀ·Ā·1 min read
Sports
Oregon secures commitment from Alabama transfer F Taylor Bol Bowen
Oregon Ducks secure commitment from Alabama transfer Taylor Bol Bowen.
Yahoo SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
NBA
El descomunal dato de LeBron James en los Playoffs: mƔs victorias que el resto de equipos
LeBron James tiene mƔs victorias en playoffs que cualquier equipo en 30 aƱos.
MarcaĀ·Ā·1 min read
SportsĀ·Feature
Michigan women's basketball hosting blue blood UConn next season
Michigan women's basketball will host UConn next season in a historic matchup.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
Angel Reese Previously Detailed Her Decision To Sign With Reebok During Her Time At LSU
Angel Reese
Reebok
Indeed, Reese is the face of Reebok basketball. According to a previous report from The Blast, the 6ā3ā³ basketball player launched her first signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1, with the company in September 2025. Since then, sheās released a range of colorways, all designed with a specific meaning.
In addition to shoes, Reese launched a clothing line with the company, including compression wear, shirts, and bottoms. In the past, the outspoken athlete said that was another reason she signed on with the company.
āSo I had a conversation with Reebok when I signed about having a signature shoe, and I wanted to have creative control,ā Reese said. āI am obviously into basketball, but Iām also into fashion, so I wanted something versatile that you can wear on and off the court.ā
Angel Reese Designed A Shoe To Tell Her Story
Angel Reese
Reebok
The Angel Reese 1 comes equipped with impressive technology for the sportās most versatile players, according to The Blast. Adding to the exoskeleton upper, the AR1 features a TPU stability cup and the companyās signature ERS (Energy Return System) to provide the right amount of cushion on the hardwood.
Reese said the release of her first signature sneaker carried more meaning than some realized. āā¦ itās my style, my story, and my stamp on the game,ā she said.
āReebok and I built something thatās true to who I am, and I hope it pushed others to stand in their power, too,ā she added. āAt the end of the day, itās built for basketball ā made to move and perform at the highest level.ā
Which Celebrities Have Been Spotted Wearing Reeseās Signature Shoe?
Angel Reese
Reebok
Reeseās signature shoe flew off the shelves within hours of its launch, ultimately proving that the 23-year-old moves the needle in ways some said she couldnāt.
In fact, Reeseās impact is so major that celebrities, from Wale to NBA star Stephen Curry, have been spotted wearing a pair.
During a previous interview, āBring It Onā star Gabrielle Union also opened up about Reeseās impact on womenās sports and pop culture.
āGoing to Chicago Sky games, everyone is like āAngel Reese, Angel Reeseā and then after the game, you know she stays for a very long time and the line of kids waiting to see her who are just like overwhelmed at the sight of her, itās boys and girls,ā Union said.
What Other Superstars Are Coming To The Brand?
Darius Acuff Jr.
Reebok
Adding to its roster of elite athletes, Reebok announced new deals with Arizona Razorbacks star Darius Acuff Jr. and UCLA alum and NCAA champion Lauren Betts, per The Blast.
Acuff Jr. will be the first athlete to receive his own shoe while in college, while Betts, who was recently selected No. 4 in the WNBA Draft, will help push the brand forward by sporting the companyās Engine A silhouette and AR1s.
