Unrivaled has announced the return of Angel Reese for the remainder of the 2026 season, bringing one of women’s basketball’s biggest young stars back to the league.
Reese, who averaged 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game in her second season with the Chicago Sky in 2025, becomes just the third player in WNBA history to post a double-double average in each of her first two seasons.
Her performances helped define Chicago’s frontcourt, even as the team faced an up-and-down campaign and a late-season back injury limited her availability.
Reese to return for Rose BC’s matchup against Hive BC
The 22-year-old forward will make her Unrivaled return on February 20, suiting up for Rose BC against Hive BC.
The announcement comes after Reese missed the first 11 games of the season due to health and offseason considerations.
“2025 Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese has agreed to a new deal with the league for the remainder of the 2026 season,” the league said in a statement. “Reese will make her return to Rose BC on February 20 for the club’s matchup against Hive BC.”
Reese’s impact in the league’s inaugural 2025 campaign was immediate. During the season, she recorded the first 20-20 performance in Unrivaled history, posting 22 points and 21 rebounds in a regular-season victory. Her defense helped lead Rose BC to the league’s first championship and earned her the Defensive Player of the Year award.
What is Unrivaled Basketball?
Unrivaled is a professional women’s basketball league designed to showcase top talent in a fast-paced, competitive environment. Launched in 2025, the league features both full-team competitions and specialty events such as 3-on-3 and 1-on-1 tournaments, giving players multiple platforms to display their skills.
The league emphasizes fan engagement, with games held in major cities and broadcast across digital platforms to reach a global audience. Attendance records have already been set, and Unrivaled has positioned itself as a complement to the WNBA, attracting elite players like Angel Reese who want additional competitive opportunities during the offseason.
Star power returns amid frontcourt changes
Reese’s return coincides with roster shifts across the league, including Aari McDonald being ruled out for the season. Trades leading up to Reese’s announcement left Rose BC with a gap in the frontcourt, creating the opportunity for Reese to rejoin midseason.
Fans had speculated about Reese’s return since the trade activity earlier in the week. Her presence is expected to bolster viewership and attendance, especially after Unrivaled recently set a record for a regular-season women’s professional basketball game during a Philadelphia tour stop.
Reese has remained active in basketball, participating in USA Basketball training camp in December, though her last WNBA game was on September 3, 2025. Now, she is set to bring her star power back to Unrivaled as the league heads into midseason and prepares for its 1-on-1 tournament, which was last season’s most-watched event.
Her return ensures that Rose BC and the league as a whole will have one of the sport’s most dominant players back on the court in 2026.
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