Atlanta Dream superstar Angel Reese’s take on playing the center spot has resurfaced amid her current situation with Team USA.
When the U.S. opened its 2026 FIBA Basketball Women’s World Cup campaign against China on Friday, Reese was matched up against the twin towers of Zhang Ziyu and Han Xu.
Reese held her own, finishing the game with five points, nine rebounds and one steal to help the national team earn a convincing 94-61 win. The 6-foot-4 forward also grabbed a couple of boards over China’s bigs.
Reese also played minutes at the five against Italy and the Czech Republic, albeit less exclusively compared to her role against China.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
In June, the three-time WNBA All-Star was interviewed by reporter Emmanuel Glaze. Reese’s comments about playing the more unfamiliar center position have resurfaced following Team USA head coach Kara Lawson’s decision to use her at the five.
“Honestly, I just have no fear,” Reese said. “I think me also being 6’3″ and also having guard skills and being able to put the ball on the floor, I feel like sometimes I have the advantage on the five because of my speed and athleticism, and [Dream head coach Karl Smesko] reminds me of it a lot.”
The 24-year-old also highlighted the upside of playing her at center and how it gives her team a whole new dynamic.
“And also my passing ability, sometimes when I set the pick and roll, a lot of the post players are in the drop coverage,” Reese added. “So I can get behind the post players and drive, or even just coming down a transition and taking them off the dribble and making the right read and kicking it.”
Additionally, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of LSU stated that she’s very willing to adjust to any role assigned to her in any given game.
“So I think me just being able to adapt and be super adaptable to any position that I’m put in, and it is hard work being the five, but I’m enjoying it right now,” she declared.
Team USA lost its starting center, reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, right before the start of the tournament. The Las Vegas Aces superstar pulled out of the World Cup due to injury, which left a gaping hole in the U.S.’ frontcourt.
Reese will likely continue playing significant minutes at the five moving forward. After winning Group D with a 3-0 record, Team USA is now headed to the quarterfinals, where they will face either Japan or Hungary.
Reese is expected to play an important role for the national team and its quest for a fifth straight gold medal in the World Cup.
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