Angel Reese’s name was noticeably absent from Unrivaled’s 48-player roster unveiled Thursday. And it was too obvious for anyone to miss.
The league, co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, kicks off January 5 and runs through March, offering WNBA players a domestic alternative to overseas play during CBA negotiations.
However, WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita links a deeper theory behind Reese’s exit. According to her, it might possibly point to a heated moment from last season, while a back injury provides the official reason.
Rachel DeMita Has A Theory For Angel Reese’s Unrivaled Snub
While her time with the Sky ended a little earlier, Reese’s departure from Unrivaled caused a social media stir, where she shone in the inaugural season with Rose BC, raising a lot of questions.
Rachel DeMita, speaking on Courtside Club, floated a theory linking Reese’s Unrivaled departure to a flashpoint from last season.
“Now, I do remember, and this is just speculation, but I do remember Angel Reese tweeting at the end of the Unrivaled season saying like, ‘I can’t wait to get back to Chicago.’ And I remember thinking like, ‘Oh, that’s strange,’” she said.
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She tied it to Reese’s ejection during a February 1 game against Laces, where a defensive foul on Tiffany Hayes escalated into two technicals and a rare banishment, the first in Unrivaled history.
“I also believe that came after the game, where she was ejected. Like, she got a couple of fouls. And I think she was just fed up at that point,” DeMita added.
However, with Caitlin Clark opting out, everybody expected Reese to lead the league’s narrative, making her exit a surprise that DeMita frames as possibly personal.
Why Angel Reese Is Not Playing In Unrivaled This Season?
The official word points to health. Yahoo Sports reported that Reese, hampered by a back injury that limited her to 30 games in the Sky’s 10-34 2025 season, is prioritizing recovery for 2026.
The longest WNBA season yet took its toll, and sitting out Unrivaled’s January-to-March run allows her to heal fully. Financially, Reese has little to worry about. She will earn millions from endorsements, including a historic walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.