Angel Reese was impressive during her rookie year in the WNBA (Image: (Image: Quinn Harris/Getty Images))

Angel Reese, nicknamed the ‘Bayou Barbie’, has made waves after a record-setting rookie season with the Chicago Sky. Despite a wrist injury cutting her season short, the 22-year-old power forward smashed records for double-doubles and rebounds per game.

With a booming social media presence, boasting 4.4 million followers on Instagram and 4.6 million on TikTok, Reese’s popularity is contributing to the WNBA’s growing fanbase.

However, Reese has opened up about the financial challenges of being a professional female athlete. Her WNBA salary of approximately $73,439 isn’t enough to cover her swanky $8,000 Chicago apartment rent.

The shortfall in her earnings, however, is made up through her endorsement deals. On Instagram, she humorously addressed her financial situation: “Hating pays my bills, baby. I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all,” adding, “I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at. I’m gonna do the math real quick. I don’t even know my salary.”

She also joked about her expenses, saying, “Yo, I’m living beyond my means,” and “No, my rent is more than that. It’s $8,000. I’m living beyond my means.”

Reese recently showed off her luxurious lifestyle, lounging in her home amid a sea of Louis Vuitton bags. The girly-pink theme shone through, with a plush rug, soft cushions, and a furry throw adorning her chic white sofa, all within the sleek setting of her lofty high-rise residence.

Angel Reese earns the majority of her money from sponsorships
(Image: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret)
The star had reasons to celebrate beyond her cozy interiors; earlier this year, Reese was chosen as the seventh draft pick. Embracing her new start in Chicago, she traded her Mercedes-Benz for a flashy new G-Wagon.

Boasting about the upgrade on social media, Reese captioned the reveal: “‘New City. New beginnings. New big body Barbie Benz.”

She posed proudly next to the luxury SUV, flaunting its bold red leather seats and contrasting black rims. Her G-Wagon, with a hefty entry price tag of $183,000, is an extravagant step up from the birthday gift she splurged on at 21, a Mercedes-Benz EQS-Class 580, which itself commands a high base price of $143,000.

On the personal front, Reese confirmed her breakup with basketball player Cam’Ron Fletcher in March. As a standout six-foot-three WNBA All-Star, Reese has set her sights high for her next beau; he must tower over her, making NBA players ideal candidates.

Angel Reese shared her strict boyfriend criteria as she confirmed her relationship status (Image: YouTube)
“Yeah, I’m single,” Reese declared on her Unapologetically Angel podcast, brushing off any past connections. “I don’t got no man. Don’t attach me to no man. That’s all I’mma say. That’s it.”

She went on to detail her dream guy, emphasizing the need for a partner who’s at least “six-seven, six-eight.” It seems the court isn’t the only place Reese is looking to score big.

Reese demonstrated her prowess on the court with the Sky, averaging 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. As the WNBA season is paused until next year, Reese will join the new Unrivaled three-on-three basketball league, where players can anticipate minimum six-figure salaries.