In a landmark achievement, LSU women’s basketball icon Angel Reese has been named one of the 100 most influential people in sports by TIME 100 magazine, a prestigious honor announced on July 28, 2025, that solidifies her status as a transformative figure in athletics. The Chicago native, who led the Tigers to the 2023 NCAA Championship and earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award, has transcended the court with her electrifying play, unapologetic personality, and groundbreaking influence both on and off it. Now a rising star with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, Reese’s inclusion in the TIME 100 list celebrates her role in reshaping women’s basketball and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
Reese’s journey to this accolade began at LSU, where she averaged 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds per game in her junior year, powering the Tigers to a 34-2 record and a national title over Iowa. Her iconic trash-talking gesture toward Caitlin Clark during the 2023 NCAA Final sparked global headlines, igniting debates about competitive spirit and propelling Reese into the cultural spotlight. Beyond her on-court dominance, she has leveraged her platform to advocate for gender equity and mental health, amassing over 12 million social media followers and securing NIL deals worth an estimated $1.8 million with brands like Reebok and Beats by Dre. Fans on X are buzzing, with one post calling her “a game-changer who owns the court and the culture.”
The TIME 100 recognition highlights Reese’s off-court impact, including her Angel C. Reese Foundation, which supports underserved youth in Baltimore and Chicago, and her vocal push for diversity in sports media. Her influence extends to fashion and entertainment, with appearances at the Met Gala and a cameo in a Cardi B music video, cementing her as a pop culture force. “Angel’s authenticity and fearlessness make her a role model,” said LSU coach Kim Mulkey in a statement to TIME. At 23, Reese’s inclusion alongside global icons like LeBron James and Simone Biles underscores her meteoric rise and undeniable impact on the sports landscape.
As Reese prepares for her second WNBA season, her TIME 100 honor sets the stage for even greater achievements. With the Chicago Sky, she averaged 13.6 points and 12.3 rebounds as a rookie, earning All-Star honors in 2024. Her influence continues to spark conversations about confidence and representation, with X posts praising her as “the face of the new WNBA.” As LSU prepares to retire her No. 10 jersey next month, Reese’s legacy is already etched in history, but her journey is far from over. This milestone cements her as not just a basketball star, but a cultural titan reshaping the future of sports.
