Angel Reese took her first senior international stage and made it count. The Chicago Sky forward earned her stripes with Team USA at the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Reese averaged 6.8 points and a tournament-leading 8.0 rebounds per game. She shot 52.5% from the field across five appearances, finishing among the top in MVP voting. The award went to WNBA rival turned teammate, Caitlin Clark.
For Reese, the connections she built off the court meant just as much as what happened on it. The 5-0 record was simply icing on the cake.
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In Puerto Rico, Reese expanded her circle well beyond her Sky teammates. She developed a genuine bond with fellow Team USA veterans Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper and Jackie Young.
They brought experience and a championship pedigree to the table, and Reese soaked up every bit of it.
Reese spoke highly of the trio, crediting them for their respect, guidance and most importantly, their friendship.
"It means everything," Reese said via Moreau Sports Media. "They're friends. They've become sisters. They're best for me. And it's just great to have people that I know I can always lean on if I need help. And they've won at the highest level."
Now, Reese enters the 2026 WNBA season reinvigorated after a strong showing on the international stage.
She looks to build on a stellar 2025 campaign in which she averaged 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for the Sky.
