Angel Reese has arrived in Durham, North Carolina, for one of the most competitive weekends of her young career, joining fellow standouts Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers at the USA Basketball women’s national team training camp.
The gathering brings together 18 rising players as new head coach Kara Lawson begins evaluating talent for the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying roster.
Overseeing the camp is managing director Sue Bird, whose presence adds even more weight to a weekend full of opportunity for the sport’s emerging stars.
For Angel Reese, the invite caps off a strong second WNBA season with the Chicago Sky. Despite missing the playoffs, she took major strides, especially as the team grappled with injuries at the point guard position.
The 6-foot-3 forward expanded her role as a facilitator and posted impressive averages of 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, a leap that didn’t go unnoticed by USA Basketball leadership.
“In the world of women’s basketball, we’re seeing a lot of different players expand what their position can do,” Sue Bird said of Reese’s development. “I think it’s really valuable … to see Angel put that in her package is great for her.”
Her invitation alone was a headline, but it was her new look that became instant viral content as soon as she stepped onto campus.
Though she wears No. 5 for the Chicago Sky, training camp presented a twist: Reese was assigned No. 25 for the weekend. She shared her reaction on TikTok, telling her six million followers, “I’m number 25 for the weekend. Y’all see the five.”
She noted that while she wasn’t in her usual number, the No. 5 still appeared on the USA uniform design, which she pointed out in the final clip of her video.
Her message to fans closed with another candid moment: “I’m not sure when I’m going to see y’all again,” she said, signaling that it was time to lock in for a demanding weekend of basketball.
Clark, Bueckers and other stars adapt to temporary jersey swaps
Reese wasn’t alone in getting a different number. According to jersey assignments obtained by the Indy Star, returning Olympic gold medalist Kelsey Plum will wear No. 5, Reese’s usual WNBA number, during camp. Plum typically wears No. 10 for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Interestingly, Reese’s old college number, No. 10, remains unassigned for the weekend despite her wearing it for both the Maryland Terrapins and LSU Tigers, as well as during her last appearance for Team USA at the 2023 Women’s AmeriCup.
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, who is synonymous with No. 22 for both the Indiana Fever and her iconic Iowa career, will wear No. 17, even though No. 22 is available.
This camp marks her return to action after a groin injury ended her WNBA season in July. Paige Bueckers also joins the group as one of college basketball’s biggest stars, continuing her long-running presence within USA Basketball programs.
Ultimately, jersey numbers mean little in this setting. For all 18 players, the weekend is about development, evaluation and representing the three letters on the front of their jerseys.
And for Angel Reese, it’s another stage to showcase a game, and personality, that continues to rise on the national stage.
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