Angel Reese’s influence in Chicago continues to grow beyond the box score. As she enters her third season with the Sky, the 22-year-old forward is drawing admiration not just for her game, but for the way she connects with young fans.
Actress Gabrielle Union, wife of NBA legend Dwyane Wade, recently made her feelings clear about Reese’s impact, especially on the next generation watching from the stands.
Gabrielle Union Details Angel Reese’s Impact on Young Fans
Union, who has attended Chicago Sky games, described the electric atmosphere surrounding Reese, particularly after the final buzzer sounds.
“Going to Chicago Sky games, everyone is like Angel Reese, Angel Reese, and then after the game, you know she stays for a very long time, and the line of kids waiting to see her who are just like overwhelmed at the sight of her, it’s boys and girls,” Union said. “There are boys who are holding her shoe. Like, ‘I got the Angel Reese shoe. I want you to sign this jersey,’ and they are looking at her in awe.”
For Union, that scene carries a deeper meaning. As a mother raising a 7-year-old daughter, the visibility of strong female leadership in sports resonates personally.
“I’m raising a 7-year-old girl, and for her to be in the stands watching that and watching this woman lead in such a way is huge,” Union added.
Union’s opinion speaks volumes about the steady impact Reese has on basketball, fans, and, of course, her cultural relevance. While she’s known more for her rebounding and scoring, a major part of her on-court appeal, her willingness to engage with fans portrays a different side of her.
Reese readily enjoys engaging with fans long after the games, amplifying her presence in the Chicago community.
From Chicago Sky to the Big Screen in ‘GOAT’
Union and Reese’s connection now extends beyond basketball. The two are featured in the upcoming animated film GOAT, produced by NBA superstar Stephen Curry.
The family sports comedy follows an undersized goat named Will, voiced by Caleb McLaughlin, who dreams of succeeding in a high-intensity professional sport called roarball. Curry produces the project and voices a giraffe named Lenny, tying the underdog storyline to themes familiar from his own career.
Reese voices a polar bear named Propp, marking her second acting role following her appearance in the 2025 thriller A House of Dynamite.
GOAT also includes Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, who voices a reptile named Kouyate, alongside Jennifer Hudson and Jelly Roll.
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Union voices Jett, an aging star player navigating the realities of leadership and legacy. Drawing inspiration from her husband Dwyane Wade and other basketball figures, Union described Jett as a layered character shaped by discipline, competitiveness, and evolving leadership styles.
GOAT is scheduled for theatrical release on February 13.
As Reese prepares for another WNBA season, her expanding presence, from Chicago arenas to movie screens, reflects a growing legacy. But as Union’s comments make clear, the most powerful impact may be the one unfolding quietly after games, where young fans wait in line simply for a moment with someone they already see as larger than life.
