WNBA fans were forced to watch Angel Reese via live stream this weekend, but the Chicago Sky rookie was much more visible Monday as she attended the 2024 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Reese would be the first WNBA rookie to be invited and attend the annual event. Since the Met Gala normally takes place during the WNBA preseason, it’s rare for veterans to make the trip; Brittney Griner was a rare participant in 2023.
Reese not only attended but also celebrated her 22nd birthday on Monday. She wore a custom dress from British brand 16Arlington.
Angel Reese is at the Met Gala! The day of his birthday. Very cool: pic.twitter.com/KW3LUPrz96
-Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) May 7, 2024
Reese was one of many athletes in New York. Also in attendance were new Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and tennis icons Serena and Venus Williams, among others.
Sky reporters noted earlier Monday that Reese and compatriot Kamilla Cardoso were not present for the open media session, but head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said both had been present before. It was later reported that Cardoso suffered a shoulder injury and will miss 4 to 6 weeks.
Reese, however, will immediately return to Chicago for the team’s preseason game Tuesday against the New York Liberty. She had 13 points and nine rebounds in her debut Friday against the Minnesota Lynx, starting alongside Elizabeth Williams in the frontcourt.
Unlike the preseason opener, Tuesday’s game against the Liberty will be broadcast on WNBA League Pass, available for free before the start of the regular season. Originally, there were four preseason games on League Pass, but the Sky-Liberty game is a recent addition to the schedule, likely driven by the renewed interest in Chicago’s first outing.
Reese showed Monday that she’s a star who commands attention, whether on the floor or the red carpet.
(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok / Getty Images for the Mark Hotel)