Before the final buzzer sounded on a whirlwind weekend, Angel Reese had already etched her name into fashion lore, social media feeds, and basketball scorebooks.
In a span of just four days, the 23-year-old WNBA sensation celebrated her birthday, dazzled at one of the year’s most exclusive events, and powered her Chicago Sky to two commanding preseason victories. From New York’s red carpet to the hardwood floors of LSU and back to Chicago, Reese proved that her ambition knows no bounds—on or off the court.
Chicago’s “Bayou Barbie” Triumphs: Angel Reese’s Eventful Week
Is she the fiery forward dominating paint battles, the charismatic influencer redefining athlete style, or simply the latest Hollywood insider? Reese is all that and more. Born and raised in Randallstown, Maryland, Reese burst onto the national stage at LSU, where her tenacity and rebounding prowess earned her the nickname “Bayou Barbie” and a national championship in 2023.
Over the course of a single week, Sky forward Reese orchestrated a whirlwind of athletic excellence and high-fashion bravado that few in sports or style circles have ever matched. She made a triumphant return to LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, posting a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double in Chicago’s 89–62 preseason exhibition win over the Brazilian national team.
Hours later, Reese marked her 23rd birthday, only to jet off to New York City for her second Met Gala appearance—this time as a Host Committee member for the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition—stunning in custom Thom Browne and over 107 carats of Graff diamonds.
Barely rested, she touched down back in Chicago and contributed nine points and eight rebounds in a gritty 74–69 preseason win against the Minnesota Lynx. Through school spirit, social media candor, and red-carpet poise, Reese reaffirmed her status as one of the WNBA’s most dynamic talents and trailblazing personalities.
Reese’s homecoming euphoria carried into her birthday celebration on Tuesday night, surrounded by family and teammates. Yet, the festivities were but a prelude to an even grander event.
On May 7, Reese took to X (formerly Twitter) with unfiltered relief, “now i can tweet…. I MADE IT THROUGH God DID cause whew chileeeee im TIREDDDD.”
On May 2, the Sky traveled to Baton Rouge to face the Brazilian national team in a one-off preseason tilt at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Amid the roar of 6,373 fans—many sporting No. 5 jerseys—Reese looked every bit the hometown hero, pouring in 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Barely 24 hours after blowing out her candles, Reese transformed from Sky standout to Thom Browne vision at the Met Gala on May 5. Invited as a member of the Costume Institute’s Host Committee for “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” she donned a custom two-piece black ensemble featuring a cropped silk top with a white collar and a corseted high-waist skirt.
Designers at Graff outfitted her with over 107 carats of diamonds—rings, earrings, and a bracelet—that glittered under the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s famed lights.
Landing back in Chicago at 2 a.m., Reese barely had time to unpack before heading to the shootaround. Two days post-Gala, she suited up against the Minnesota Lynx, logging nine points and eight rebounds in a hard-fought 74–69 Sky victory at the Wintrust Arena.
A New Blueprint for Athletes
Reese’s recent escapades signal more than an athlete in her prime—they showcase a new paradigm where the boundary between sports and spectacle dissolves. Whether crashing the hoops or crashing the fashion world’s most guarded party, she reminds us that today’s stars can—and must—juggle multiple arenas.
As Reese gears up for WNBA regular season action, one thing is clear—whether she’s crashing boards or crashing parties, Sky’s Bayou Barbie won’t be slowing down anytime soon.