Shaquille O’Neal, Reebok’s President, Points to Angel Reese’s Influence as Key Factor in Signing

Just four days into his tenure as President of Reebok’s basketball division, Shaquille O’Neal made a significant move by signing Angel Reese. Shaq, who had originally joined Reebok during his rookie season in 1992 and brought about the iconic “Shaq Attaq” shoe, wasted no time in securing the emerging talent of Reese.

Angel Reese, a rising star from LSU, became the first athlete to ink a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Reebok. This groundbreaking partnership encompasses a multi-year agreement, including a personalized collection of products under the banner of “Angel’s Picks.” Shaq celebrated the signing on Instagram and declared:

“There is no one making a bigger impact on the game right now than Angel Reese.”

Angel Reese’s ascent in the world of basketball has been nothing short of remarkable. As a highly sought-after five-star recruit out of high school, she received 24 scholarship offers from various Division I programs. Her career reached a pinnacle when she led the LSU Tigers to their inaugural national championship last season. Nicknamed the “Bayou Barbie,” Reese’s exceptional performances earned her the title of NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. In a move that shook the basketball world, Reese transferred to LSU from the Maryland Terrapins before the 2022-23 season commenced.

In the title-clinching game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, Reese contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, leading LSU to a resounding 102-85 victory. Throughout the season, the 6-foot-3 forward maintained impressive averages of 23 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Her outstanding performance earned her recognition as a Unanimous first-team All-American, WBCA Coaches’ All-American, and First-team All-American by AP and USBWA. With her eligibility for the WNBA draft coming after the 2024 season, Angel Reese’s star continues to rise both on and off the court.