Usman Salis
You've probably seen Angel Reese dominating on the court, but have you wondered how much the Chicago Sky superstar is actually worth? Well, Angel Reese's net worth has hit an impressive $1.5 million as of January 2025, and honestly, that's just the beginning for this 22-year-old phenom who's quickly becoming the face of women's basketball.
The "Bayou Barbie" isn't just crushing it with rebounds and double-doubles – she's built a serious financial empire that goes way beyond her WNBA paycheck. From her college days at Maryland and LSU to now playing pro ball in Chicago, Reese has been smart about turning her basketball talent into real money.
How Angel Reese's Net Worth Started Growing From Day One
Let's be real – Angel Reese didn't just wake up one day with a million-dollar net worth. This girl has been grinding since she was a kid growing up in Randallstown, Maryland. Born on May 6, 2002, Angel had basketball literally in her blood thanks to her mom, Angel Webb Reese, who played college ball and taught her everything she knows.
Back in high school at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, Reese was already making waves. She wasn't earning big bucks yet, but she was laying the groundwork for what would become a pretty incredible financial journey. The girl was pulling off double-doubles left and right, leading her team to three straight championships, and getting noticed by every major college program in the country.
When she got to the University of Maryland in 2020, that's when things started getting interesting money-wise. Sure, she couldn't get paid as a college athlete back then (those were different times), but she was building her brand and setting herself up for what was coming next.
The College Years: Where Angel First Started Making Real Money
Here's where Angel's story gets really good. After transferring from Maryland to LSU in 2022 – and trust me, that was a game-changing move – she started cashing in on those NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals that were just becoming legal for college athletes.
And boy, did she cash in. Angel scored 17 different NIL deals in 2022 and 2023 that were worth about $1.7 million combined. We're talking partnerships with massive brands like Reebok, PlayStation, Amazon, Calvin Klein, and McDonald's. Not bad for someone who was still in college, right?
But here's the thing that really shows how smart Angel is – she didn't just take any deal that came her way. She was strategic about it. When Shaquille O'Neal became president of basketball operations at Reebok, Angel was their first major signing. That's the kind of move that shows she wasn't just thinking about quick cash, but building something bigger.
Her college career at LSU was absolutely insane. She averaged 23 points and 15.4 rebounds per game during her championship season, became the first woman to hit those numbers in over 15 years, and set an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles in a single season. That championship run in 2023? That's when Angel Reese's net worth really started climbing, because suddenly everyone wanted a piece of the "Bayou Barbie."
Angel Reese Net Worth in the WNBA: The Professional Payday
Now let's talk about her WNBA money. When Chicago Sky drafted Angel seventh overall in 2024, she signed a four-year deal worth $324,383. Here's how her salary breaks down:
- 2024: $73,439
- 2025: $74,909
- 2026: $82,399
- 2027: $93,636 (if the team picks up her option)
But here's where Angel keeps it 100% real with her fans. "I just hope y'all know, the WNBA don't pay my bills at all. I don't even think it pays one of my bills, literally," she said on Instagram Live. And honestly, she's not wrong – that salary might sound decent, but for someone living Angel's lifestyle and supporting her family, it's her endorsement deals that really matter.
Her rookie season was absolutely bonkers. She averaged 13.6 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, broke the rookie record for consecutive double-doubles, and made the All-Star team. The girl literally made history by recording 15 straight double-doubles, which had never been done before in WNBA history.
Angel Reese's Blueprint for Success: What She Tells Young Athletes
If you want to know how Angel built her success, just listen to what she tells other young people trying to make it. Her philosophy is pretty straightforward, and it's worked pretty well for her so far.
First up, she's all about taking control of your own journey. "You are in charge of your own athletic journey. You can do anything. They cannot see you," she says. That mindset of not waiting for permission or approval has been huge for her.
Angel's also big on using your voice and platform for good stuff. "I have a voice and I'm not going to stop using my voice for the people that know that I am making an impact," she explains. And you can see this in action – she started the Angel Reese Foundation in 2023 to help girls in underrepresented communities get better opportunities in sports and education.
But maybe the most important thing she preaches is being authentic, even when people don't like it. During all that controversy after the 2023 championship game, Angel didn't back down. "I don't fit in the box that y'all want me to be in. I'm too hood. I'm too ghetto…this is for the girls that look like me," she said, and honestly, that authenticity is probably why her brand is so strong.
Recently, she shared some advice that really sums up her approach: "Take that scary step. It could change your life." She tells young women especially to "work for what you want. Don't wait around for a handout, else you'll be taken advantage of. Build your own. Secure your own."
Usman Salis
