Angel Reese is on the rise in more ways than one.
LSU’s superstar forward — who helped lead the Lady Tigers to their first-ever NCAA championship last month — has seen her NIL valuation reach $1.4 million, the website On3 reported Monday, the same day Sports Illustrated Swimsuit announced she’s set to appear in the 2023 issue.
On3, which focuses on the data and business of college sports, added Monday that Reese’s seven-figure NIL valuation — a student athlete’s name, image, and likeness — places her atop their list of college women’s basketball NIL rankings.
Reese’s LSU teammate, Lady Tigers guard Flau’jae Johnson, ranks second with $812,000, followed by Iowa Hawkeyes standout Caitlin Clark with $796,000.
The 21-year-old’s profile has continued to skyrocket in a matter of weeks.
Reese had a NIL valuation of $371,000 when March Madness began, according to On3, and now, she is one of 20 athletes who boasts a seven-figure valuation.
“I’m excited and blessed to be able to have these opportunities to go out and be who I am,” Reese told Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.
Reese became one of the biggest breakout stars of this year’s NCAA tournament when she and the Lady Tigers defeated the Hawkeyes, 102-85, to earn their first national championship.
The Maryland native, who famously taunted Iowa Clark at the end of the title game, told Sports Illustrated Swimsuit while the two “are cool,” she’s fed up with the narrative of women being pitted against one another.
“It’s just being able to force people to accept that women can talk trash. The women’s side gets penalized for it or we’re considered as not being ladylike and that we’re not playing by the rules. We work just as hard as the men. Women can be who we are; women can be competitive,” Reese said.
Up next?
Beyond final exams, Reese is heading to Colorado Springs this month for the U.S. team trials prior to the FIBA women’s AmeriCup, which gets underway in Mexico in July.
“There’s always room to be better,” Reese said. “I’m about to go to USA Basketball, so my goal this summer is to win a gold medal.”
