Angel Reese welcomes Lauren Betts to Reebok family after 4th overall WNBA Draft pick

Betts signs shoe deal with Reebok, joining Reese and other rising WNBA stars on the brand's roster.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:09am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movement and competition of a WNBA basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.The rising commercial value of top WNBA draft picks is reflected in the league's growing partnerships with major brands like Reebok.Atlanta Today

Washington Mystics rookie center Lauren Betts signed a shoe deal with Reebok on Wednesday, becoming the fifth active WNBA player on the brand's basketball roster. Betts, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, joins Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow, DiJonai Carrington, and Lexie Brown as part of Reebok's growing investment in women's basketball.

Why it matters

Betts' signing with Reebok highlights the rising commercial value of top WNBA draft picks, as the league continues to gain mainstream popularity. It also marks a positive shift in the relationship between Betts and Reese, who had a physical on-court altercation during the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

The details

Reese, who signed with Reebok in 2024 and released her signature sneaker, the Angel Reese 1, in 2025, welcomed Betts with a message on X (formerly Twitter): 'AHHHH! What's up CHAMP!' Reese also reacted positively on Instagram to Reebok's announcement, commenting 'another BADDIEEEEE.' Betts enters the league after a standout collegiate season with UCLA, during which she led the program to its first national championship and earned Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.

  • Betts signed the Reebok deal on Wednesday, April 17, 2026.
  • Betts will report to the Mystics training camp on April 19, 2026.
  • The Mystics' preseason begins on April 25, 2026, with Betts set to face Reese for the first time on June 6, 2026, in a Commissioner's Cup matchup.

The players

Lauren Betts

A 6-foot-7 center who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. She had a standout collegiate career at UCLA, leading the team to its first national championship and earning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Angel Reese

A forward for the Atlanta Dream who signed with Reebok in 2024 and released her signature sneaker, the Angel Reese 1, in 2025. She previously had a physical on-court altercation with Betts during the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Aneesah Morrow

A WNBA player who is also part of Reebok's basketball roster.

DiJonai Carrington

A WNBA player who is also part of Reebok's basketball roster.

Lexie Brown

A WNBA player who is also part of Reebok's basketball roster.

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What they’re saying

“AHHHH! What's up CHAMP!”

— Angel Reese

“another BADDIEEEEE”

— Angel Reese

What’s next

Betts will report to the Mystics training camp on April 19, 2026, with the team's preseason beginning on April 25, 2026. Betts is set to face Reese for the first time on June 6, 2026, in a Commissioner's Cup matchup.

The takeaway

Betts' signing with Reebok, along with other top WNBA draft picks joining major brands, highlights the growing commercial value and mainstream popularity of the league. The positive relationship between Betts and Reese also suggests a shift in the dynamic between the two players following their previous on-court altercation.