Angel Reese Excites Basketball Fandom With Historic 20-20 Performance In Unrivaled League

WNBA superstar Angel Reese had a stellar performance during the Rose BC's game against the Lunar Owls in the new 3x3 basketball league, Unrivaled.

Reese, who's also on a team with Chelsea Gray, Lexie Hull, Kahleeah Copper, Brittney Sykes, and Azura Stevens, handed the first loss of the season to the Lunar Owls, which houses the legendary Napheesa Collier in a nail biting showdown.

Online, Angel Reese excited fans with her performance on the court after the former Louisiana State University basketball star achieved a stat line no one else in the league has accomplished yet. Her standout play also demonstrated the strides she made in improving her skills during the off-season.

During Reese's Friday night game against the Lunar Owls, the Chicago Sky rookie performed in a way most watchers didn't seem prepared for.

The 22-year-old scored 22 points and snagged 21 rebounds (eight on the offensive end), becoming the first player in the league's history to record a 20-20 game.

"No surprise here," the official Unrivaled social media account wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "ANGEL REESE is our ... Player of the Game! With 22 points and 21 rebounds, she has the highest double-double in Unrivaled history."

"Gotta make history," Reese said about her showing on the court before telling reporters that she's been working with WNBA champion Lisa Leslie to improve her skills.

She also discussed her impressive rebounding ability, saying she has a "knack for the ball" that others don't.

"I have a mentality where anything I want in life, I'm gonna get. I have that mentality off [of] the court, too. You have to manifest anything you want in life. If I want that ball, if I want that steal, [I'm going to] get it," she said.

After her historic game, Reese wasted no time celebrating with her Rose BC teammates in the arena and on social media.

While making her way back to the locker room, a user captured Reese poking fun at her Lunar Owl opponents, saying, "Hootie Hoo" while flapping her arms like a bird.

Users were amused by her antics, with one writing specifically that they loved seeing Reese "as a villain."

Although Reese had an outstanding performance during her most recent Unrivaled game, the Maryland native still got emotional when she spoke about her journey as a player during the after-game press conference.

“It’s so much I can say. But for me, to keep going, it’s hard. It is hard. To live my life isn’t easy. And I don’t want to get emotional, but that’s why I put the work in every day,” Reese said.

The "Unapologetically Angel" podcast host also mentioned that when she steps on the court, she's fighting for more than herself.

“There are little girls that look up to me," she said. "There are the college girls that look up to me. And just being able to be an inspiration every day – that’s why I try to keep going through all the negativity."

“At 22, it’s hard living this life,” Reese added. “But I’m grateful. I’m blessed. And being here at Unrivaled has been the best thing for me.”

Reese's exceptional performance for the Rose BC team during their game against the Lunar Owls sparked a major conversation about her improving skills online.

One user said they believed watchers "just witnessed Angel Reese play her best game as a professional basketball player."

Another user clearly agreed, writing, "Angel Reese looks like one of the best players on earth tonight."

"Say what y'all want, but Angel Reese is her," a third user wrote. "22 points, 21 rebounds, [and] efficient."

Two-time WNBA champion and sports analyst Leslie told Reese during an episode of her podcast that she was eager to get into the gym with the Bayou Barbie to help sharpen her skills, specifically in the paint.

According to ESPN, Reese finished her first year averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.

Her shooting percentage was 44.5 percent for the year on shots less than five feet away and 42.4 percent on layups.

"The biggest advice I have for you is gonna be how you shoot your layups, period," Leslie told Reese. "We're gonna fix that. That's fixable for you."

"I love the fact that you're putting so much pressure on them defensively and just the idea that you want to get better," the sports commentator said. "The fact that you already have that attitude, you're going to get better, and I can help you get better. I'm positive."