Angel Reese says she would rather pay the fine than talk to the media
(🎥 @angelreeseshow / https://t.co/1X34adfyc2) pic.twitter.com/cdkSeMv08s
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 16, 2025
Not just rebellion
Angel Reese’s decision isn’t just about defiance. It’s a calculated move, born from the emotional toll of how her second season ended. Rather than submit to a format she doesn’t control, she chose to speak on her own terms—without filters or middlemen. And she did it at a moment when speculation about her future was at its peak.
But Angel Reese didn’t stop at dodging microphones. She stepped into territory no WNBA player had entered before. Her appearance at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show lit up social media. Wearing two different outfits and walking the runway with confidence, Reese became the first professional athlete to model for the iconic lingerie brand. Basketball legend Lisa Leslie called the moment a “cultural shift” for the league.
Angel Reese’s Victoria’s Secret debut wasn’t just a walk; it was a cultural shift💓
First WNBA player to walk for Victoria’s Secret = opening doors for the next generation to dream bigger🥹More with @rosgo21 & @lisaleslie on Angel Reese in our latest episode out now! 🫶… pic.twitter.com/FTb1gIXou7
— Good Follow (@GoodFollowShow) October 17, 2025
“I’m so proud of Angel. I hope this opens doors for more players. We have so many beautiful women in the WNBA who could do this,” Leslie said on the show Good Follow.
A new virtual dynamic
And as if that weren’t enough, Angel Reese earned a spot in basketball’s virtual universe. She was selected as a featured figure in NBA 2K26’s new mixed-mode, where fans can build teams with NBA and WNBA stars. In a segment with actor and rapper Common, Reese was placed on a dream lineup alongside Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Maya Moore.
The selection thrilled Angel Reese, who said that team “could win championships.” The new game mode has already become a hit among fans, many of whom are excited to see Reese sharing the court—virtually—with basketball royalty.
Angel Reese is redefining what it means to be a professional athlete. From the hardwood to the runway, through video games and the microphones she chooses to switch on or off, her impact stretches far beyond basketball. And she’s doing it without asking for permission.