Angel Reese and A’ja Wilson share a deep connection that goes back a long way. In an interview, Reese once revealed that she considers Wilson her idol and even wears a one-legged sleeve in homage to the reigning WNBA Finals MVP.
The bond between the two has been showcased during games, especially when the Las Vegas Aces and Chicago Sky face off, with their interactions often captured in photographs. Reese has also expressed her admiration for Wilson’s Nike sneakers, stating that if she were not signed with Reebok, she would definitely wear them.
Reese’s admiration for Wilson resurfaced when the latter achieved a rare feat in the WNBA, prompting the younger star to publicly congratulate her idol.
Reese took to X (formerly Twitter) to applaud Wilson for her latest accomplishment. The 22-year-old celebrated Wilson’s career-high points in a single season, writing, “CONGRATS A! You deserve this! Forever & always my favorite player!! 🙏🏽🔥💐.” Wilson had recently scored 27 points in a game against the Indiana Fever, bringing her total points for the season to 956—the highest ever in a single WNBA season.
This achievement surpassed the previous record of 939 points set by Jewell Loyd in 2023. With four games left in the season, Wilson is now on the brink of crossing the 1,000-point mark.
Since the start of the WNBA season, Wilson has been on a mission to claim the MVP award, emerging as the Aces’ offensive leader, especially in the absence of key player Chelsea Gray. Her season began with a strong 30-point performance against the Phoenix Mercury in May and saw her hit 41 points against the same team earlier this month. Wilson’s record-breaking performance came when she single-handedly scored the first 10 points for the Aces in the game and later eclipsed Loyd’s record with a jumper from the free-throw line. Notably, Wilson accomplished this in only 35 games, while Loyd needed 38. Wilson’s previous personal best was 912 points, scored in 2023.
Reese, who has a close relationship with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal (whom she calls her Uncle), signed a NIL deal with Reebok last year when the brand, with Shaq’s involvement, was making a comeback in basketball. However, Reese has openly stated that if she had the chance, she would wear Wilson’s Nike sneakers. Reese first made this revelation in July before a game between the Aces and Sky, adding that Wilson has inspired her both on and off the court. She said, “If I could wear Nike, I would definitely wear her shoe.”
Wilson started working on her Nike shoes in 2023, with the official release planned for spring 2025. While Reese’s Reebok contract will likely prevent her from wearing Wilson’s shoes, it is clear that she remains a big fan. With Wilson’s milestone in sight, it is expected that Reese will be celebrating alongside Wilson and cheering her on as she aims to hit the 1,000-point mark.
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