Angel Reese wasn't at the Chicago Sky's practice on Monday, May 5, but she has an excellent reason: the 22-year-old is part of the host committee for the Met Gala, an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute that's co-chaired by Vogue's Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour (this year, Wintour's fellow co-chairs include Colman Domingo, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, and Lewis Hamilton).
The news was met with mixed reactions. The Sky's Head Coach Tyler Marsh spoke to reporters about approving Reese's absence earlier in the day, and explained that the opportunity was too unique and special for Reese to pass up. "She's a huge part of it, I think that anytime that we can showcase and highlight the personalities of our players, of our league, no matter what team they're from, I think it's a good thing," Marsh explained.
The coach added that the Sky always wants to "continue to increase the popularity and on and off the court" and that Reese has put in plenty of work in the offseason and the preseason.
The Met Gala is a unique experience for Angel Reese
To be invited to the Met Gala is an extraordinary opportunity that Reese has now had the chance to accept not once, but twice. The WNBA superstar and fashion icon is right at home at the event, surrounded by some of the most successful people in the world and the most aspirational designers and artists that can be found — and to there at only 22 years of age is all the more special.
Reese attended the event for the first time in 2023 soon after she was drafted to the Sky. Last year she departed for the Met Gala soon after practice on May 9, which also happened to be her 22nd birthday. She wore a custom gown from the british label 16Arlington, enjoyed the evening, and was back in Chicago for practice the next day — and fans have no reason to believe she won't be ready to go bright and early on May 6 of this year.
“I went to the Met Gala, slayed the Met Gala in New York, came back, slayed against New York,” she said last year. “It’s what I do.”
Angel Reese has already had an impressive preseason with the Sky
Reese has already made it clear this preseason that she's more than ready to take on the WNBA this year. She appeared more than ready and able to assume the offensive gap left by the departure of Chennedy Carter in the team's exhibition match against the Brazilian National Team on May 2. In 17 minutes on the floor, Reese racked up 15 points,10 rebounds, and shot 57% — a major improvement over last season.
With that performance, the 22-year-old showed she's ready to be Marsh's go-to offensive threat this season, and if she keeps this kind of performance up, the rest of the league will have to prepare their defensive plans around her.
The 22-year-old has staked her claim to be Marsh's offensive talisman for the 2025 WNBA season. Franchises around the league will have to adjust their defensive game plans if the star continues to score in such imposing fashion.