Angel Reese‘s name is now turning heads far beyond the WNBA, and she’s vividly aware of what that means for her career and the women’s game at large.
The Chicago Sky standout, fresh off another dominant season in the league, is one of the newest members of Team USA‘s senior national team training camp as the squad begins preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
For Reese, the chance to don the red, white, and blue with some of the country’s best players isn’t just another holiday basketball event, it’s a milestone. Speaking in a video released by USA Basketball, she reflected on both the privilege and the challenge of being in a camp stacked with elite talent.
“I’m just really thankful to be able to be here with the best… I’m not going to take this moment for granted. I’m so thankful because a lot of people don’t have this moment,” Reese said.
“So I try to take a lot of things from other people, from communications, even just ball handling.”
Reese‘s remarks encapsulate how seriously she views this honor. The 6-foot-3 forward has quickly carved out a reputation as one of the WNBA‘s most tenacious rebounders and most impactful young stars, a trajectory that now intersects with international basketball’s bright lights.
A camp steeped in transition and opportunity
This week’s USA Basketball camp, held at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, is unlike any Reese has been part of before.
Under head coach Kara Lawson and overseeing director Sue Bird, the roster blends household names with rising stars, from Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers to seasoned veterans like Aaliyah Boston and Chelsea Gray.
“Being able to see Aaliyah Boston post up and post deep, and being able to take those things and implement them within yourself,” she continued in her USA Basketball video.
“And I think it just goes to show the growth of the game and how we can just compete in the [WNBA], but then come back here, USA, and just be together and be here for one goal, and that’s the championship and to win a gold medal.”
From WNBA standout to international contender
Reese‘s journey to this point has been rapid. A firstround pick by the Sky in 2024, she made an immediate impact in the WNBA, leading the league in rebounding and earning AllStar honors as a rookie.
Her second season only reinforced her elite status, as she again paced the league on the glass and put up strong scoring numbers.
Playing for Team USA at the senior level is a new chapter, one that comes as the national program enters a period of transition.
With the US preparing for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and eventually the 2028 Olympics, this camp serves as both evaluation and foundation, and Reese is right in the middle of it.
Read the full article here
