Angel Reese is one of the best rebounders basketball has ever seen. In 2026, her first season with the Atlanta Dream, she became the first WNBA player to grab 500 rebounds in a season and won Defensive Player of the Year, the WNBA announced.
From a national title at LSU to record-breaking WNBA seasons, here is everything you need to know about her height, stats, records and career.
Angel Reese Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Angel Reese |
| Born | 6 May 2002, Randallstown, Maryland, USA |
| Height | 6ft 4in (1.93m), WNBA listing |
| Position | Forward |
| Current team | Atlanta Dream (No. 5) |
| Former team | Chicago Sky (2024–25) |
| College | Maryland (2020–22), LSU (2022–24) |
| WNBA draft | No. 7 overall, 2024 |
| Nickname | “Bayou Barbie” |
| Major awards | 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, three-time All-Star, 2023 NCAA champion |
How Tall Is Angel Reese?
The WNBA lists Reese at 6ft 4in (1.93m), according to her official profile. Her LSU college roster listed her an inch shorter, at 6ft 3in.
However, height is only part of her story. Her timing, strength and relentless energy make her a monster on the boards against taller opponents.
Early Life and College Career
Reese grew up in the Baltimore area and starred at Saint Frances Academy. She was a McDonald’s All-American in 2020. Her brother, Julian Reese, also plays professional basketball.
Maryland (2020–22)
First, Reese began her college career at her home-state school, Maryland. A broken foot cut short her first season, but she bounced back to average 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds as a sophomore.
LSU and the 2023 National Title
Reese transferred to LSU in 2022 and became a national star. In 2022–23, she averaged 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds and set an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles in a season, LSU reported.
Above all, she saved her best for the biggest night. On 2 April 2023, LSU beat Caitlin Clark’s Iowa 102–85 to win the national championship, and Reese was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. Her celebration towards Clark in the closing moments sparked one of the most talked-about rivalries in sport.
Meanwhile, Reese earned the nickname “Bayou Barbie” during that title run. She played one more season at LSU, winning SEC Player of the Year in 2023–24.
Angel Reese Stats: WNBA Career
Here are her season-by-season regular-season averages, according to Basketball Reference and the WNBA.
| Season | Team | Games | Points | Rebounds | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Chicago Sky | 34 | 13.6 | 13.1 | All-Star, single-season rebounds record (446) |
| 2025 | Chicago Sky | 30 | 14.7 | 12.6 | All-Star, led league in rebounds |
| 2026 | Atlanta Dream | 43 | 16.4 | 12.1 | All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, 521 rebounds |
A Record-Breaking Rookie Year
Next, the Chicago Sky took Reese seventh in the 2024 draft, and she made an instant impact. She broke Sylvia Fowles’ single-season rebounding record of 404 on 1 September 2024 and finished with 446, Yahoo Sports reported.
In addition, she set a league record with 15 double-doubles in a row. However, a wrist injury ended her season early, CBS Chicago reported. She finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Clark.
Trade to the Atlanta Dream
After a difficult 2025 season, in which the Sky won just 10 of 44 games, Chicago traded Reese to Atlanta on 6 April 2026. The Sky received Atlanta’s first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028, the AP reported.
Angel Reese Records: Her 2026 Season
Once in Atlanta, Reese produced one of the greatest rebounding seasons in WNBA history. She set these league records, the WNBA said:
- 521 rebounds in a season: the first player to reach 500
- 206 offensive rebounds in a season
- 32 double-doubles in a season
- 26 rebounds in a single game: against the Los Angeles Sparks in August
Moreover, she scored a career-best 16.4 points per game and ranked third in the league for steals, with 1.8 per game. The Dream finished 30–14 and earned the No. 4 seed for the play-offs.
What Makes Angel Reese So Good?
Reese does not shoot many three-pointers, and she rarely dominates with fancy footwork. Instead, she wins games with effort, positioning and a hunger for the ball.
For example, her offensive rebounding shows her value best. Her 206 offensive rebounds in 2026 set a league record, and every one of them gave Atlanta another chance to score. Opponents know she is coming, yet they still struggle to keep her off the glass.
In addition, she has become a genuine defensive force. Her 77 steals in 2026 were a career high, and she ranked third in the league in defensive rebounds. That mix of rebounding and pressure on the ball is what won her Defensive Player of the Year.
Finally, her scoring keeps improving too. Reese raised her average from 13.6 points as a rookie to 14.7 in 2025 and then a career-best 16.4 in 2026. If that growth continues, she could soon challenge for the league’s biggest individual prize, the MVP award.
Angel Reese: Defensive Player of the Year
On 1 October 2026, Reese was named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. She received 46 of 74 votes, ahead of Golden State’s Gabby Williams and Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson, the WNBA said.
As a result, she is the first Dream player to win the award, and her mother presented the trophy. The Associated Press had also named her its Defensive Player of the Year, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. See every winner in our WNBA awards 2026 round-up.
Angel Reese in the 2026 Play-Offs
Now, Reese is chasing her first WNBA title. Atlanta swept the Washington Mystics in the first round, then won the first two games of their semi-final against the New York Liberty.
She scored 23 points in Game 2, a 101–98 overtime win, as the Dream moved within one victory of the Finals, ESPN reported. Game 3 is in New York on Friday 9 October. Catch up with our semi-final preview.
Off the Court: Barbie, Sneakers and Business
Away from basketball, Reese is one of the most marketable athletes in sport. Forbes estimated her 2025 earnings at $9.4 million, placing her 15th among the highest-paid female athletes.
She signed with Reebok in 2023, and her first signature shoe, the Angel Reese 1, went on sale in September 2025. In July 2026, Mattel released an Angel Reese Barbie doll, complete with a pink No. 5 kit and tiny Reebok trainers, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
Besides that, she plays in the Unrivaled three-on-three league for Rose BC, where she was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2025. In addition, she hosts the podcast “Unapologetically Angel”.
Angel Reese: Frequently Asked Questions
What team does Angel Reese play for?
The Atlanta Dream. She joined in a trade from the Chicago Sky in April 2026.
How many rebounds did Angel Reese get in 2026?
She grabbed 521 rebounds, a WNBA single-season record and the first time any player has passed 500.
Did Angel Reese win a national championship?
Yes. She won the 2023 NCAA title with LSU and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Why is Angel Reese called “Bayou Barbie”?
The nickname comes from her time at LSU in Louisiana, where it took hold during the 2023 national title run.
What Do You Think?
Can Angel Reese lead the Dream to their first WNBA title? Share your prediction in the comments, and read our full WNBA expansion guide to see how the league is changing around her
