Angel Reese has gone from one of the nation’s top college players to a WNBA All-Star in less than five months. Two of her biggest supporters won’t be in Phoenix to celebrate another milestone for the Chicago Sky star.
Reese posted a message on social media on Friday saying her mother and brother would not be able to attend her first WNBA All-Star Game.
The news that two of Reese’s family members will be unable to travel to the Mercury’s home base comes as flights around the world are grounded due to a Microsoft outage.
Reese didn’t explicitly say anything about the outage, but the timing suggests it had something to do with it, since she’s from the Baltimore area.
Angel Reese’s mother’s first name is also Angel, and her younger brother, Julian, was also a basketball star at Maryland.
Angel Reese will represent the WNBA All-Stars in Saturday’s exhibition game against Team USA
Angel Reese and her mother, Angel, were spotted on the red carpet for the ESPYs last year
Before the younger Angel Reese became a basketball star for LSU, she played two seasons for the school in her home state of Maryland.
The Reese women were spotted together on the red carpet at the ESPYs last year, both wearing extravagant gold gowns.
Both of Angel Reese’s parents were also college basketball players.
Reese will represent the WNBA All-Star team in the big exhibition game against Team USA, the 12 women’s team that will represent the United States at the Olympic Games later this month.
All of the women on Team USA play in the WNBA, with the WNBA All-Stars representing some of the league’s most talented players who won’t get the chance to play in Paris.
Playing for the WNBA All-Stars will mark Reese’s first time playing alongside longtime rival Caitlin Clark on a big stage after competing with her in college and as a pro.
Reese will likely take over defensive duties for veterans Brittney Griner and A’ja Wilson at the All-Star Game, presenting a tough test for the star rookie.