WNBA fans were forced to watch Angel Reese by way of a fan’s livestream over the weekend, but the Chicago Sky rookie was far more visible Monday as she attended the 2024 Met Gala at the at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Reese is believed to be the first WNBA rookie to be invited and attend the annual event. Given that the Met Gala normally takes place during the WNBA preseason, it is uncommon for veterans to make the trip; Brittney Griner was a rare attendee in 2023.
Reese not only was in attendance but also celebrated her 22nd birthday Monday. She donned a custom dress from British label 16Arlington.
Angel Reese is at the Met Gala! On her birthday. So cool: pic.twitter.com/KW3LUPrz96
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) May 7, 2024
Reese was one of several athletes in New York. Also in attendance were new Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton and tennis icons Serena and Venus Williams, among others.
Sky reporters noted earlier Monday that Reese and fellow first-round pick Kamilla Cardoso were not present for the open-media session, but head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said both were present prior. It was reported later that Cardoso suffered a shoulder injury and will miss 4-6 weeks.
Reese, however, will return to Chicago immediately for the team’s preseason game Tuesday against the New York Liberty. She tallied 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 matchup against the Liberty will be broadcast on WNBA League Pass, which is available for free prior to the start of the regular season. Originally, there were four preseason contests on League Pass, but the Sky-Liberty game is a recent addition to the schedule, likely motivated by the surge of interest in Chicago’s first outing.
Reese showed Monday that she is a star who commands attention, whether on the hardwood or the red carpet.
(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok / Getty Images for The Mark Hotel)
