90% of the nation would unanimously agree that ‘GOAT’ is the word that comes to their mind when they think of Michael Jordan. However, when Angel Reese was asked who the GOAT of the NBA and WNBA respectively were, her answer didn’t revolve around the legend. This comes across as pretty weird since both of them share the same Chicago roots.

“Of all time? Oh, my God. I’mma say Shaq.,” Reese expressed giving the GOAT title to her Unc. “Oh, my God. There are so many.I don’t know if I can say one. Can I get my five? My top five? Okay I’mma say no specific order: Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, oooh Candace Parker, I’mma say Sylvia Fowles and I’m going to say Seimone Augustus,” the Chi-Town Barbie enumerated in a Sports Illustrated video.

Notably, Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls his entire career, barring a few years when he played for the Washington Wizards for the remainder of his career. He took the Bulls to unprecedented heights, winning 6 NBA Championships with them. The New York-born was accepted by the crowd and became a fan favorite, so much so that the NBA had improved TV ratings. Hence, anybody would guess that Reese would take Jordan’s name.

Though the Chicago Sky is not affiliated with the Bulls, nonetheless, the Chi-Town Barbie would have become the apple of the eye of the Chicago fans had she taken Jordan’s name as he also has a statue known as The Spirit in Chicago. Notably, Reese was drafted as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 W draft by the Sky and was their rebounding queen, finishing with the second-highest rebounds in a W season. But her choices for the GOAT can be accounted for.

Angel Reese’s relationship with her the GOATs

Reese has a long-standing relationship with Shaquille O’Neal who she calls her uncle. It was Shaq who attended her senior night and did the ritual that guardians do, along with her mother. Shaq too is an LSU alum and when the 22-year-old was fresh off the 2023 NCAA Championship win, he, on his podcast, had called her the school’s greatest-ever athlete. The NBA legend has often given her advice in her rocky personal life and been a support for her.

Meanwhile, Reese is also been a fan of Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles, and Seimone Augustus. Swoopes has often been labeled as Reese’s fan and has been present during some of her W games.  Meanwhile, when Reese was selected for her first All-Star game, Leslie had tweeted a message congratulating her. Similarly, when the Maryland-born broke Candace Parker’s record of 15 consecutive double-doubles this season, Parker respectfully called her the GOAT.

Meanwhile, Augustus who is the assistant coach at LSU, had come in to defend Reese when the latter was facing criticism in the W. As for Fowles, she had congratulated the then-Bayou Barbie after she had made 20 double-doubles in 20 games as an LSU Tiger, breaking Fowles’ record. Hence, it is natural for Reese to share the legends she respects. However, the list would have been all the better, had Jordan found a mention.