After another strong season in the WNBA that featured plenty of highlight reels, Angel Reese was expected to continue building momentum in the offseason through the fast-paced Unrivaled 3×3 league.
She had previously thrived in that format, using it to sharpen her skills. But when the official roster of 46 players was released for the upcoming season, one name was noticeably absent – Angel Reese.
“I’m jumping in the pool, doing fun stuff, working on my podcast, and meeting new people. I have so many big things coming up, and I’m really excited for them.”
Nowhere in that list was Unrivaled.
That decision caught fans off guard, especially considering how impactful Unrivaled had been in her development. In the inaugural season, Reese averaged 13.3 points and 12.1 rebounds across 14 games.
Though her assist numbers in the 3×3 format were modest (1.9 per game), the experience clearly translated to the full court. By the 2025 WNBA season, she had nearly doubled her assist numbers, jumping to 3.7 per game, a clear sign that her court vision and playmaking had evolved.
Prioritizing global brand over domestic play
So why step away now, especially when Unrivaled seemed like an ideal platform to refine her game further?
The answer likely lies in Reese’s growing ambition off the court. Following the September 2025 release of her signature Reebok sneaker, the AR1, Reese hinted at plans that extend far beyond American basketball.
In an interview with Swish Cultures, she revealed, “I plan on going on a world tour. I haven’t been overseas much, and I know I’ve got fans in Australia, Tokyo, and Europe. I want to go show off the shoe and meet them.”
It’s not unusual for athletes to use their offseasons to expand their global reach. With her AR1 launch selling out online and generating international interest, Reese appears poised to follow in the footsteps of elite athletes who use global tours to elevate their brands.
Her marketing savvy is no secret, as she’s already known for leveraging her platform beyond sports. Skipping Unrivaled this year could be a calculated move to focus on building her empire while still preparing for a strong WNBA return in 2026, whether with the Chicago Sky or another team.
Though her absence from Unrivaled may disappoint some fans, it’s clear Reese is playing the long game, on and off the court. And based on her trajectory, she’s not just planning for next season. She’s preparing for global dominance.
