Angel Reese had been working toward this moment for a long time. Making the senior national team is no small feat in a program with USA Basketball’s history and depth. And on Wednesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Reese finally got her chance. Her debut came on one of the most anticipated stages women’s basketball has seen in years, and she made the most of it.
Angel Reese Delivers on Debut As Team USA Rolls Past Senegal
Reese earned the start for Team USA alongside Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, and Dearica Hamby in the opening game of the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament against Senegal.
She finished with 6 points on 2-of-3 shooting and a game-high 8 rebounds in 18 minutes. It was a performance entirely in line with what makes her one of the most valuable players in the women’s game.
The rebounding has always been Reese’s calling card. She led the WNBA in rebounds for a second straight season in 2025, averaging 12.6 per game, and her presence on the glass was immediately felt against Senegal.
Scoring was never going to be the headline, and Reese herself acknowledged that coming in. “Everybody’s not going to be able to score 20,” she said ahead of the tournament. “Just being able to come in and find my niche of what I can do specifically, that I know I can always bring to the table, is going to be a big part of my life.”
There was also a highlight moment midway through the second quarter. With just over six minutes remaining, Reese grabbed a defensive rebound, pushed up the court herself, and delivered an ankle-breaking dribble move that sent Senegal forward Yacine Diop to the floor.
Angel Reese made Yacine Diop touch Earth 😳pic.twitter.com/8sJ765trgn
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 11, 2026
The clip went viral on social media immediately. Paige Bueckers followed with a jumper on the same possession to extend the lead.
Angel Reese’s Debut is Rooted in Bigger Goals
Perhaps the most talked-about moment of Reese’s night came off the stat sheet entirely. In the fourth quarter, after Caitlin Clark hit a three-pointer and hit the floor, Reese sprinted over to help her up, with Bueckers doing the same. The wholesome exchange between two of the most polarizing figures in women’s basketball spread widely on social media.
Caitlin Clark to Angel Reese, assists keep stacking pic.twitter.com/AN7zMqwNWM
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) March 11, 2026
Fans are taking it as a sign of genuine mutual respect between Clark and Reese when wearing the same jersey.
For Reese, this debut is a stepping stone toward something larger. She was candid about her ambitions ahead of the tournament. “Just steps to 2028,” she said, referring to the Los Angeles Olympics. “That’s a big goal for me. So just continuing to take these small steps and continue to learn and grow.”
She also spoke warmly about working under coach Kara Lawson, managing director Sue Bird, and assistant Nate Tibbetts, calling their approach to development “amazing.”
Team USA won 110-46, leading for nearly 39 of 40 minutes. They are back in action Thursday against hosts Puerto Rico at 8 p.m. ET on truTV and HBO Max. For Reese, one debut down, and plenty more to come.
