If you’ve spent any time on sports Twitter or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the rumors flying like a loose ball in the fourth quarter. People are genuinely asking: did angel reese quit the wnba? It’s a wild question for a player who literally just rewrote the record books as a rookie, but in the era of 24-hour news cycles and cryptic social media posts, things get blurry fast.
Let’s be extremely clear right out of the gate. No, Angel Reese did not quit the WNBA.
In fact, as of early 2026, she’s gearing up for what might be her most important season yet with the Chicago Sky. But the "why" behind these rumors isn’t just made of thin air. There was a season-ending injury, a messy team suspension, and a very public decision to skip the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league that had everyone scratching their heads.
The Injury That Started the "Did She Leave?" Talk
Most of the confusion actually stems from how her 2024 and 2025 seasons ended. You can't blame people for being confused. In September 2024, Reese was in the middle of a historic rookie campaign—averaging 13.1 rebounds a game—when she suddenly vanished from the court.
It wasn't a retirement. It was a hairline fracture in her wrist.
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That injury forced her to miss the end of her rookie year, which was a massive blow to the Sky’s playoff hopes. Then, fast forward to late 2025, and it felt like déjà vu. She missed the final stretch of her sophomore season again, this time due to a nagging back injury. When a superstar isn't on the floor for the biggest games of the year, people start whispering.
The 2025 Drama and the Chicago Sky Suspension
If we’re being honest, the rumors about her leaving intensified because things got kind of toxic in Chicago for a minute. In September 2025, Reese gave an interview to the Chicago Tribune that ruffled a lot of feathers. She was blunt. She basically said she wasn't going to settle for "the same s***" and called for the front office to bring in better players.
The team wasn't thrilled. They suspended her for half a game for "comments detrimental to the team."
Combine that suspension with her back injury, and Reese was suddenly missing from the lineup for the final four games of 2025. She even skipped her exit interview. To the casual observer, it looked like a "breakup" was happening in real-time.
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Why People Think She Quit (The "Unrivaled" Factor)
Here is where the "did angel reese quit" search queries really come from. In late 2025, the new 3-on-3 league, Unrivaled, announced its roster for the 2026 winter season. Angel Reese’s name was nowhere to be found.
This was a shocker.
She was a massive part of that league’s inaugural success. When she decided to sit out the 2026 Unrivaled season, fans jumped to the conclusion that she was stepping away from basketball entirely. But sitting out a winter "offseason" league is not the same as quitting the WNBA.
"I'm under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky," Reese told reporters during a USA Basketball camp in December 2025. She’s not going anywhere. She’s just being selective about her workload.
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By The Numbers: Why the WNBA Needs Her
Angel Reese isn't just a "social media star" who happens to play hoops. Her impact on the court is actually kind of terrifying if you're a defender. Look at what she's done in just two years:
- She became the fastest player in WNBA history to hit 500 points and 500 rebounds (38 games).
- She led the league in rebounding average for both 2024 and 2025.
- She already holds the top two single-season records for offensive rebounds in Sky franchise history.
Basically, you don't "quit" when you're arguably the best rebounder the league has ever seen before your 24th birthday.
What’s Next for the "Bayou Barbie" in 2026?
So, if she didn't quit, what is she doing? Honestly, she's building a brand that exists outside the lines of the court while staying firmly planted on it. She’s voicing characters in movies (like the animated film GOAT coming out in February 2026) and dropping Reebok sneakers.
But for the 2026 WNBA season, the goal is clear: chemistry.
She’s been very vocal about building a relationship with the Sky’s head coach, Tyler Marsh. The drama from late 2025 seems to be "chapter closed" according to GM Jeff Pagliocca. Reese is under contract through 2026, with a team option for 2027. She’s the cornerstone.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Check the Source: If you see a headline saying Reese is "gone," check if they mean the WNBA or just a specific tournament like Unrivaled.
- Watch the Offseason Moves: Keep an eye on Chicago Sky free agency. Reese made it clear she wants "great players" around her; whether the Sky land a big name will determine how happy she stays in Chicago.
- Follow Injury Reports: Her back and wrist have been the only things truly capable of stopping her. Her status for the 2026 opener will depend entirely on her physical therapy progress this winter.
The rumors can officially be put to bed. Angel Reese is still very much a WNBA player, and if her first two seasons are any indication, she’s only getting started.