Angel Reese added fresh fuel to ongoing relationship speculation on Christmas Day with a subtle yet unmistakably personal tribute to her boyfriend. The Chicago Sky star shared an Instagram Story showcasing a festive outfit that appeared to celebrate her relationship with Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., further intertwining two of basketball’s most talked-about young stars.
Angel Reese Includes Wendell Carter Jr. in the Christmas Celebration
Reese was seen wearing a striking red satin button-down dress with a classic notched collar, styled for the holiday. What made the look stand out, however, was the embroidery on the outfit. The dress featured large silver-white initials “AR”, with the phrase “Our 2nd Christmas” stitched just beneath. Adding to the intrigue, Reese accessorized with a delicate gold chain necklace featuring a script-style nameplate pendant bearing the initials “WCJ”, commonly linked to Carter Jr.
The post came amid months of growing public curiosity surrounding Reese and Carter Jr., who have repeatedly stopped short of formally confirming their relationship while leaving plenty of clues for fans to dissect.
Reese and Carter Jr. have been at the center of dating speculation since the beginning of the year. Back in May, Carter was spotted attending Reese’s birthday celebration, prompting the first wave of online chatter. That speculation intensified on Dec. 11, when Reese walked into a Magic game wearing a custom Orlando Magic jersey stitched with the words “My Man” on the back, paired with denim, heels, a necktie, and a cap.
The gestures have gone both ways. Carter Jr. previously showed his support by attending the WNBA All-Star Game, wearing a Reese T-shirt, which sent both NBA and WNBA fan bases into full detective mode.
While neither has issued a formal announcement, Carter addressed the situation during a Nov. 17 appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” after being asked directly by former NBA forward Chandler Parsons if the two were dating.
“That’s the homie for sure, we locked in,” Carter said. When pressed further, he added, “Y’all gonna find out when y’all need to find out. We’ll just leave it at that. That’s my girl, though. We locked in for sure.”
Where Reese and Carter Jr. Stand in Their Careers
Off the court, both athletes are enjoying successful stretches in their respective careers. Reese is coming off a strong second WNBA season with the Chicago Sky, where she averaged 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, cementing herself as one of the league’s rising young forwards.
During the offseason, the 23-year-old has expanded her profile beyond basketball, earning a call-up to Team USA’s training camp, walking the runway at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and making a cameo appearance in the Netflix film “A House of Dynamite.”
Reese has opted out of the 2026 Unrivaled Season 2, choosing to rest a lingering back injury from her demanding WNBA campaign while focusing on recovery and brand commitments ahead of the next WNBA season.
Carter Jr., meanwhile, remains a key piece for the Orlando Magic. The eight-year NBA veteran is having a solid season, averaging 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game on 53.7% shooting. The Magic currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 17–13 record, and Carter is playing under a three-year, $58,650,480 contract, which includes $37,652,160 guaranteed and an average annual salary of $19,550,160.
While Reese and Carter Jr. haven’t officially defined their relationship, Reese’s Christmas tribute suggests the bond between the two stars is only getting stronger.
A check for $30,000 might take a little of sting out of this debacle….