After an explosive rookie season that unfortunately came to an abrupt end due to an unexpected injury, Angel Reese isn’t slowing down. Her sights are now set on the 3×3 Unrivaled league, where she’ll be competing in January next year. The Chicago Sky forward couldn’t be more thrilled and recently shared that there’s one player she’s eager to play alongside and learn from, and it’s not her idol A’ja Wilson, who has shown a lot of support for the 22-year-old so far in her career.

A recent video from one of Angel Reese’s live streams has made waves on social media, showcasing the LSU alumna’s palpable excitement for the upcoming 3×3 league. After recovering from her wrist injury, she will be ready to hit the court again soon. But what really caught everyone’s attention was her desire to work out with Minnesota Lynx superstar, Napheesa Collier.

“Like, because on Unrivaled everybody is going to be there. So I can get work from everybody. I love everybody and I’m excited for it. But Phee (Napheesa Collier) is definitely who I want to workout with for sure,” said Reese. Napheesa Collier, the Lynx star with whom Reese wants to work, is not just a participant but one of the co-founders of the Unrivaled League, which will feature 30 talented players, including herself.

Reese also mentioned, “Her husband is amazing. I love her husband, I love that.” Collier’s husband, Alex Bazzell, has made quite a name for himself as a passionate advocate for women’s basketball, often voicing his support for the sport. Earlier, he had said, “The WNBA is just as relevant to me as the NBA side.” He also had the honor of training the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi from 2018 to 2020. Given his commitment to elevating players and championing women’s basketball, it’s no wonder Reese holds him in such high regard.

What’s interesting is that Reese didn’t think twice before naming Collier as her preferred workout partner, seemingly overlooking her idol, A’ja Wilson. The Aces forward has been a strong supporter of Reese, yet in that moment, Reese’s excitement for the upcoming league took the spotlight and she chose Collier, who is a direct rival of Wilson, as she finished second in the MVP race.

A’ja Wilson’s steadfast support for Angel Reese

Throughout her journey, Reese has consistently expressed her admiration for 3x MVP A’ja Wilson, who has also been a steadfast supporter of Reese’s career. After Reese suffered a season-ending injury, it was the 2x WNBA champion, who later broke Reese’s single-season rebounding record after she was sidelined, who stepped in to offer her encouragement. She sent a wave of positivity by leaving two white heart emojis under Reese’s announcement.

Over the top, Wilson has previously acknowledged that Reese’s influence extends far beyond the basketball court. “I think she really brought in other celebrities from different entertainment factors. The things that she’s done. The collabs that she’s had, it’s truly amazing to watch and I hope it continues to grow,” Wilson shared in an interview with Andscape. 

The 22-year-old forward has also made it a point to honor her idol. When Wilson shattered the league’s single-season scoring record, Reese was one of the first to celebrate her achievement. She retweeted Wilson’s milestone announcement, writing, “CONGRATS A! You deserve this! Forever & always my favorite player!!” Her heartfelt message highlighted the deep admiration she has for Wilson’s incredible talent.

Considering all of this, Reese’s recent admission about wanting to work out with Collier—without even mentioning Wilson—was definitely surprising. However, it could be due to the uncertainty surrounding whether Wilson will participate in the Unrivaled League, which Reese was discussing during her livestream. Regardless of the circumstances, fans are undoubtedly excited to see Chi-Town Barbie back in action at Unrivaled.