Wait. Stop. Before you buy into another TikTok slideshow or a grainy Twitter thread, let's look at the facts. People love a good crossover. When the NBA and WNBA worlds collide, the internet basically loses its collective mind. That’s exactly what happened with Jake LaRavia and Angel Reese, a pairing that sparked more "wait, what?" comments than almost any other athlete rumor in recent memory.
But here is the thing. Most of it was built on a foundation of digital sand.
If you’ve been following the Chicago Sky star or the Los Angeles Lakers forward, you know how fast things move. One minute you’re playing ball; the next, you’re the subject of a viral investigation because you happened to be in the same city or liked a photo. It’s exhausting, honestly.
The Origin of the Jake LaRavia and Angel Reese Buzz
So, where did this actually start? It wasn't a paparazzi photo. It wasn't a leaked text. It was basically the result of the "internet detective" culture that follows Angel Reese everywhere she goes.
Reese is a magnet for attention. She’s the Bayou Barbie. She’s a double-double machine for the Sky. When she’s not leading the WNBA in rebounds (averaging a massive 12.6 per game in 2025), she’s at NBA games. And because she’s often seen courtside, fans start connecting dots that aren’t even on the same page.
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Jake LaRavia, meanwhile, has been quietly—well, not so quietly anymore—carving out a real role in the league. After being traded from Memphis to Sacramento and then landing with the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2025, his profile skyrocketed. You play for the Lakers, you get famous. That's just the rule. He’s been putting up numbers lately too, like that 26-point explosion against his former Memphis team in early January 2026.
The "rumor" was mostly fueled by social media interactions and the simple fact that both are young, rising stars in the same professional circles. People saw two attractive, successful athletes and decided they must be a thing.
Why the Rumors Fell Flat
Honestly? The timing never made sense. While the internet was busy trying to link Jake LaRavia and Angel Reese, the actual reality of their lives was heading in completely different directions.
If you’ve been paying attention to the news out of Berlin this week—January 2026—you’d know that Angel Reese is very much accounted for. She was just spotted courtside at the Uber Arena in Germany, looking incredible in head-to-toe black fur, supporting her actual boyfriend, Wendell Carter Jr. of the Orlando Magic.
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- Fact: Wendell Carter Jr. confirmed the relationship on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back in late 2025.
- Fact: He called her "my girl" and said they were "locked in."
- Fact: Reese responded on X with "Period homie."
So, while the Jake LaRavia theory was fun for a minute for the shippers, it was never grounded in reality. LaRavia has been busy trying to keep his starting spot with the Lakers while Rui Hachimura deals with calf issues. He’s focusing on his 42% three-point shooting, not celebrity dating rumors.
Life in the Spotlight: The "Lakers Effect" vs. The "Reese Effect"
It’s kind of wild how different their paths are. Jake LaRavia is the definition of a "grinder" who finally caught a break. He spent time in the G-League. He was a role player in Memphis. Now, in 2026, he’s a legitimate fantasy basketball darling and a key rotation piece for a Lakers team that desperately needs his floor spacing.
Reese? She’s a supernova.
She just announced she’s voicing a character named Propp in an animated movie called GOAT, produced by Stephen Curry. She’s walking the Victoria’s Secret runway. She’s leading a rebounding revolution in the WNBA. The "Reese Effect" means that anyone she is even remotely associated with gets a 500% increase in Google searches overnight.
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Poor Jake probably just wanted to play some hoops, and suddenly he's the "rumored boyfriend" in a dozen YouTube clickbait videos.
What We Can Learn from the Jake LaRavia and Angel Reese "Connection"
Social media is a giant game of telephone.
One person posts a "look at this" video, and by the time it reaches the tenth person, it's a "confirmed engagement." It’s a reminder that what we see on our feeds is rarely the whole story.
The reality is much more professional. Both athletes are at the top of their game. LaRavia is proving he belongs in the NBA after a rocky start to his career, signing a two-year, $12 million deal with Los Angeles that looks like a steal right now. Reese is redefining what it means to be a female athlete-entrepreneur.
The Actionable Takeaway
If you’re following Jake LaRavia and Angel Reese for the drama, you’re going to be disappointed. But if you’re following them for the basketball? You’re in for a treat.
- Watch the Lakers rotation: Keep an eye on LaRavia's minutes. If he keeps shooting 60% from the field like he did against the Hawks recently, he’s going to be a household name for his play, not his "relationships."
- Follow the WNBA Offseason: Reese is everywhere right now—movies, fashion, courtside in Berlin. Her impact on the growth of the league is undeniable.
- Check the sources: Before believing a dating rumor, see if there’s a "Berlin moment" or a "Run It Back" confirmation. Usually, the real story is much more interesting than the fake one.
At the end of the day, Jake is focused on the rim, and Angel is focused on the bag (and Wendell). Everything else is just noise.