If you walked into a sports store lately, you’ve probably seen the sea of black and blue jerseys. Most of them have a giant 5 on the back. That’s Angel Reese. But if you’ve followed her since her days at LSU, or even back in her high school years in Baltimore, that number probably looks a little weird to you.
For the longest time, Angel was synonymous with the number 10. It was the number she wore when she hoisted the national championship trophy with the Tigers. It was the number she wore when she became a household name.
So why the change? Honestly, it wasn't just a random choice. It was a mix of WNBA logistics, respect for legends, and a desire for a "fresh start" in the pros.
The Battle for Number 10
When the 2024 WNBA Draft rolled around, the Chicago Sky did something pretty bold. They grabbed two of the biggest stars in college basketball: Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
There was just one small problem. Both of them wore number 10 in college.
Kamilla had been rocking 10 at South Carolina, and Angel had it at LSU. In the pros, you can't have two players on the same roster with the same number. It’s not like pickup ball where you just figure it out; the league has rules.
Ultimately, Kamilla Cardoso kept the number 10. Angel decided to pivot. She didn't seem salty about it, though. She actually posted on social media calling it a "new era" and "new beginnings."
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Could she have picked number 3?
There was actually a moment where Angel considered wearing number 3. If you know anything about Chicago basketball, you know why. Candace Parker.
Angel has talked openly about how much she admires Parker. She’s a "big guard" type player who changed the game, and Angel saw a lot of that in herself. But Angel is also savvy. She realized that the Sky are almost certainly going to retire Candace Parker’s jersey.
Picking a number that's about to go up in the rafters? Probably not the best long-term move. So, she skipped the 3 and landed on 5.
What Does the Number 5 Actually Mean?
Beyond the fact that 10 was taken, the number 5 has some history for Angel. She actually wore 5 way back at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. She also wore it during her first two years of college at the University of Maryland.
In a way, switching to 5 in Chicago was less about losing her LSU identity and more about returning to her roots.
It also fits the "Chi Barbie" persona perfectly. New city, new league, old number. It’s a full-circle moment.
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Interestingly, when she showed up for Team USA training camp in late 2025, she had to switch again because Kelsey Plum already had the 5. For that weekend, Angel rocked 25. She joked about it on TikTok, pointing out to her millions of followers that "y'all see the five" was still tucked inside that 25.
The Business of the Number 5
You can’t talk about the Angel Reese jersey number without talking about the money. The WNBA is seeing a massive explosion in merchandise sales, and Angel is right at the center of it.
By the middle of 2024, Angel had the second best-selling jersey in the entire league, trailing only Caitlin Clark. That’s massive. We are talking about a 1,000% increase in player-specific merchandise sales across the board.
People aren't just buying the jersey because they like the color. They’re buying into the brand. Whether it’s the "Rebel Edition" light blue or the "Explorer Edition" black, that number 5 has become a symbol of the double-double machine.
Where to get an authentic jersey
If you're looking to grab one, you have to be careful. There are a lot of knockoffs out there.
- The WNBA Store: This is the official spot. You'll see prices ranging from $89 for youth sizes up to $130+ for the high-end Nike editions.
- Fanatics: They handle a lot of the league's distribution.
- Local Chicago Shops: Places like Clark Street Sports are staples for fans in the city who want to grab gear before a game at Wintrust Arena.
Why This Matters for Fans
Numbers in sports are weirdly emotional. Fans get tattoos of these numbers. They buy the gear. When a player changes their "identity" by changing their number, it can feel like a break in tradition.
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But for Angel, the move to 5 was a masterclass in branding. It allowed her to separate her "Bayou Barbie" college persona from her professional "Chi Barbie" career.
She’s currently averaging a double-double and has already broken rebounding records that people thought would stand for years. Whether she’s wearing 10, 5, or 25, the production doesn't change.
If you're planning on buying a jersey soon, stick with the Chicago Sky #5. It’s the definitive look for this stage of her career. If you're a collector, keep an eye out for those limited-edition Team USA #25 pieces—they're likely to become rare items given how briefly she wore them.
The best way to stay updated on her latest gear drops or potential number changes for international play is to follow her directly on Instagram or TikTok, where she usually breaks the news herself before the league even gets a press release out.
Check the official Chicago Sky roster or the WNBA store periodically, as new jersey editions (like the "Rebel" or "Town" sets) often launch around mid-season or during All-Star weekend.