Angel Reese, the name that became synonymous with dominance, defiance, and unapologetic excellence in college basketball, has now officially been recognized by one of the most prestigious accolades in the world. TIME Magazine has named the LSU legend to its revered TIME 100 list of the Most Influential People in Sports, a powerful nod to the seismic cultural and athletic impact she has made in such a short period of time. For Reese, this honor isn’t just about what she has done on the court—it’s about what she has meant for the game, for women’s sports, and for the growing power of young Black women asserting themselves proudly in front of a global audience.
From the moment she transferred to LSU from Maryland, Angel Reese was on a mission—not just to win basketball games, but to leave a legacy. And leave one she did. She stormed onto the national stage during the 2022-2023 NCAA season, shattering SEC records, becoming a double-double machine, and leading the Tigers to their first-ever women’s basketball national championship. But it wasn’t just the stats or the accolades that made her a household name. It was the attitude, the swagger, the crown gestures, and the fearless trash talk that made people take notice. Angel Reese didn’t just play the game—she owned the moment, and in doing so, she shifted the culture.
TIME’s recognition of Reese is a validation of her ability to change the narrative around women’s sports, particularly in how female athletes—especially Black women—are perceived when they exhibit confidence, emotion, and bold self-expression. For decades, the image of the female athlete has been filtered through a narrow lens of acceptability. Be competitive, but not too aggressive. Be confident, but humble. Be strong, but not loud. Reese shattered all of those antiquated expectations and refused to tone herself down to fit a prepackaged ideal. That courage, more than anything, has made her influential. She proved you can be great, glamorous, vocal, and authentic all at once—and that you don’t need to apologize for any of it.
Her inclusion on the TIME 100 list comes at a moment when women’s sports are undergoing a historic surge in visibility and popularity. From record-breaking viewership during March Madness, to packed arenas in the WNBA, to massive NIL deals redefining athlete compensation, the spotlight is finally shifting toward those who have long operated in its shadow. Angel Reese has not only benefited from this shift—she has actively accelerated it. With her presence, charisma, and relentless work ethic, she became one of the most marketable athletes in college sports. She has signed major endorsement deals, starred in ad campaigns, and maintained a social media following that rivals many professional athletes. Her reach is undeniable, and her ability to connect with fans—especially young girls who see themselves in her—is part of what makes her such a transformative figure.
But her impact isn’t just limited to sports marketing or media coverage. Reese’s influence has sparked real conversations about race, gender, class, and double standards in athletics. One of the defining moments of her career came during the 2023 national championship game, when she famously taunted Iowa’s Caitlin Clark with the “You Can’t See Me” gesture, a celebration that drew both praise and criticism. The backlash she faced from certain media personalities and fans—despite Clark having done the exact same gesture earlier in the tournament—exposed the racialized double standards that exist in sports commentary. Reese didn’t back down. In the post-game press conference, she stood tall, made no apologies, and let the world know that she was proud to be herself, proud to represent her community, and proud to be unapologetically Black.
That moment wasn’t just a victory lap—it was a cultural statement. And it resonated far beyond the hardwood. It resonated in classrooms, in barbershops, in boardrooms, and on social media feeds. Reese had drawn a line in the sand and made it clear: she wasn’t going to dim her light for anyone’s comfort. That type of courage, that refusal to conform, is what TIME has recognized with this latest honor.
Reese’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. She’s faced scrutiny, criticism, and pressure from every angle. But each time, she has responded with poise and performance. Whether it was returning to LSU for another dominant season, supporting her teammates in difficult moments, or using her platform to advocate for mental health, community involvement, and women’s empowerment, Reese has consistently shown depth beyond the game. She’s more than just a basketball player—she’s a role model, a trailblazer, and now, one of the most influential figures in sports according to TIME.
For LSU, her recognition is also a feather in the cap of a program that has seen an unprecedented rise in national prominence. Head coach Kim Mulkey and the university staff created a platform, and Reese exploded it into something far bigger than Baton Rouge could have imagined. Her presence on campus, her visibility in the media, and her sheer force of personality have brought national attention to LSU women’s basketball in a way that few thought possible just a few years ago. Her success has paved the way for top-tier recruits, inspired younger athletes, and elevated the expectations for what women’s sports can be—both in college and beyond.
Beyond the personal accolades and the symbolic weight of her TIME 100 honor, there is the real-world impact Angel Reese continues to have. She has become a bridge between the old guard and the new generation. To the youth, she represents freedom—the ability to express yourself fully, fight for your worth, and still achieve greatness. To the gatekeepers, she represents a reckoning—a new paradigm in which control over image and narrative no longer rests solely in the hands of coaches, athletic directors, or media conglomerates, but with the players themselves. NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules have enabled this shift, but it’s athletes like Reese who’ve made it undeniable.
In many ways, Angel Reese’s story is still being written. With her recent entry into the WNBA as a member of the Chicago Sky, she’s already showing flashes of the same fire and fortitude that made her a collegiate icon. Her rivalry with Caitlin Clark has spilled over into the pros, drawing record-breaking TV ratings and media coverage, which only underscores her influence. Her rookie season has been a testament to her resilience and dedication. She’s not simply relying on past fame—she’s putting in the work to evolve, improve, and build something even greater at the professional level.
