Angel Reese: Relationship, Suspension, Stats & WNBA Impact 2026

You’ve probably seen the name Angel Reese trending, and not just for her stats on the court. The LSU star turned WNBA rookie has dominated headlines over the past year, from blockbuster trades and team suspensions to a public romance with an NBA player and a constant role in bigger conversations about identity in women’s sports.

Height: 6’4″ ·
Weight: 165 lbs ·
Date of Birth: May 6, 2002 ·
College: LSU ·
WNBA Debut: 2024 ·
2026 Season Points Per Game: 15.4

Ten key stats and dates that define Angel Reese’s profile.

Who is Angel Reese in a relationship with?

Current partner: Wendell Carter Jr.

“Locked in” and “my girl” — Wendell Carter Jr., confirming his relationship with Angel Reese on November 17, 2025 (People)

• Angel Reese is currently dating Wendell Carter Jr., an NBA center for the Chicago Bulls. Carter confirmed the relationship publicly on November 17, 2025, telling People (celebrity news outlet) they were “locked in” and calling Reese “my girl.”
• Romance rumors first sparked when Carter attended Reese’s birthday party in May 2025, according to Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine).

Angel Reese’s reaction to custom jersey

• In May 2026, Reese posted an Instagram story appearing to acknowledge Carter after he dunked on Jalen Duren during the NBA playoffs. USA Today (sports desk) reported the story was a reaction to a custom “Reese” jersey Carter had made.

Previous relationships and ex-boyfriend

• Information about Reese’s past relationships is limited. No ex-boyfriend identity is corroborated by multiple reliable sources before Carter Jr. entered the picture.

The implication: Reese’s personal life remains largely private despite public speculation.

Why is Angel Reese so famous?

College stardom at LSU

• Reese gained national fame during LSU’s 2023 NCAA championship run, where she was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading the Tigers to the title.

Bayou Barbie persona and endorsements

• Her “Bayou Barbie” nickname and active social media presence turned her into a mainstream figure beyond sports. She launched her own podcast in 2025 and continues brand partnerships, contributing to an estimated net worth of $1.5 million, per NBC Sports (sports broadcaster).

Record-breaking rookie season

• Drafted 7th overall in 2024 by the Chicago Sky, Reese set multiple rebounding records. ESPN (sports media) reports she is the only player in WNBA history to average at least 12.0 rebounds per game in a season, which she did in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, she averaged 12.6 rebounds per game and led the league with 23 double-doubles.

The pattern: Her on-court production is the foundation of her fame, not just the off-court headlines.

Why did they suspend Angel Reese?

Details of suspension

“I could move in a different direction and do what is best for her” — Angel Reese, September 2025 (NBC Sports)

• The Guardian (news organization) reported Reese was suspended for half a game after comments the Sky deemed detrimental to the team.
• ESPN (sports media) adds that the Sky suspended Reese for the first half of her next game after those comments, and she then missed the final three games of the season because of a back injury.

Length of suspension

• The on-court suspension lasted one half of one game, per both ESPN and The Guardian reports. The subsequent missed games were attributed to injury, not disciplinary action.

Impact on team

• Reese later publicly said in September 2025 that she “could move in a different direction and do what is best for her,” as reported by NBC Sports (sports broadcaster).

The gap in official confirmation leaves room for speculation, but the measured consequences suggest a minor infraction.

Who are the LGBTQ players in the WNBA?

Openly LGBTQ WNBA players in 2026

• Autostraddle (LGBTQ+ media outlet) published its annual list naming 52 openly LGBTQ players in the WNBA for the 2026 season, reflecting the league’s long-standing culture of inclusion.

Transgender women and WNBA eligibility policy

• The WNBA’s policy permits transgender women to play under certain conditions, but no biological male has ever played in the league. CBS Sports (sports broadcaster) notes the WNBA has not changed its eligibility rules regarding transgender athletes since the policy was established.

Debate in women’s sports

• The broader debate about transgender inclusion in women’s sports continues, with the WNBA maintaining its existing policy. No transgender woman has ever appeared in a WNBA game as of mid-2026.

The precedent: The WNBA’s inclusive reputation is well-documented, but the policy remains a point of external discussion.

What is happening with Angel Reese?

Recent trade to Atlanta Dream

• Reese was traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream on April 6, 2026, per ESPN (sports media). The trade package sent to Chicago included Atlanta’s first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, plus 2028 second-round swap rights, confirmed by CBS Sports (sports broadcaster).

2026 season performance

• Reese is averaging 15.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in the 2026 season, per CBS Sports (sports broadcaster).

Off-court developments

• She launched her own podcast and continues brand partnerships. Her rookie contract runs through the 2026 season with a team option for 2027, per NBC Sports (sports broadcaster). The Dream’s 2026 regular season tip-off is scheduled for May 10, 2026 against the Minnesota Lynx, per Marca (Spanish sports daily).

The direction: Reese is now central to Atlanta’s rebuild, with her production and marketability anchoring the franchise’s future.

Is Angel Reese a twin?

• Angel Reese is not a twin. She has a brother and other siblings, but no twin sibling is confirmed in verified sources. Her family background is documented by NBC Sports (sports broadcaster).

The clarification: Persistent online rumors about a twin are unsupported by any credible reporting.

Timeline

• May 6, 2002: Born in Randallstown, Maryland (People).
• 2023: Led LSU to NCAA championship; named Final Four Most Outstanding Player (ESPN).
• April 2024: Drafted 7th overall by Chicago Sky (CBS Sports).
• 2024-2025 Season: Set rebounding records; league leader in double-doubles (23) in 2025 (NBC Sports).
• Mid-2025: Suspended for half a game after comments deemed detrimental; missed final three games with back injury (The Guardian).
• 2025-09: Publicly says she could “move in a different direction” (NBC Sports).
• 2026-04-06: Traded to Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks and swap rights (ESPN).
• 2026-05-10: 2026 season tip-off against Minnesota Lynx (Marca).

The sequence shows a rapid rise punctuated by a brief suspension and a trade that reshapes her career trajectory.

Summary

Angel Reese enters the 2026 season with the Atlanta Dream after a turbulent 18 months that included a trade, a brief suspension, and a public relationship with an NBA player. Her rebounding numbers remain historically elite, but the off-court drama — much of it still only partially explained by official sources — has made her story as much about media narrative as basketball. For fans who want to separate fact from rumor, the pattern is clear: Reese’s on-court production is unquestionable, but the full context of the suspension and her personal history remain gaps that no major interview or team statement has yet filled.

The takeaway: Reese’s legacy will be defined by her stats, but the incomplete record off the court leaves room for future revelations.

Frequently asked questions