CHICAGO — When Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese landed back in Chicago for 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend on Thursday, July 23, it took a little longer for her to deplane.
A special VIP landed at the same time.
Advertisement
“When my plane was landing yesterday … they said, ‘VIP. Nobody can get off the plane,'” Reese recalled on Friday, July 24. “I’m like, ‘Well, we’re VIP too.’ And then they said, ‘Obama.’ And I was like, ‘OK, OK, OK.’”
REQUIRED READING: Caitlin Clark bonds with Barack Obama at WNBA All-Star weekend over media scrutiny
The special VIP was former President Barack Obama, who surprised the WNBA All-Stars at the eponymous Barack Obama Presidential Center early July 24. Obama gave a brief speech during team practice, shook everyone’s hand and even played “one on one” with Jonquel Jones. He also posed for photos, an opportunity Reese described as once-in-a-lifetime.
“Not everybody just gets to meet Barack (Obama). That was my first time too,” added Reese, who took pictures of her teammates with the former president. “Baby, you got to get your (picture). I’m getting a picture of everybody. I got one of (Kahleah Copper), got one of me, a selfie. I think it’s important just to capture every moment.”
Reese previously appeared on former first lady Michelle Obama’s podcast in April, which she hosts alongside her brother Craig Robinson. The trio discussed everything from mental health to navigating fame.
Advertisement
“Michelle (Obama) made me feel the empowerment of what a woman is like to go through so many different things,” Reese said. “To be in front of the world and have your back against the wall and just be able to go against all the odds and everything that she was doing. And she gave me a lot of advice. So I appreciate Michelle (Obama) and she pours so much into me and I’m just really happy.”
Reese began her career in Chicago after being drafted No. 7 overall by the Chicago Sky in 2024. She was traded to the Atlanta Dream ahead of the 2026 WNBA season and said it “feels really good” to be back in the Windy City.
“I’m really happy to be back here and it gives me déjà vu from when I was here my rookie year and last year,” Reese said, adding that she’s still tapped into the Chicago community. “To be here at the Obama Center and know what it means. My foundation is actually working with the Obamas and doing some things in the community as well. My mom went to their event a couple weeks ago, so it’s really cool. Being able to see the community grow, our pictures on the billboards is really cool.”
Angel Reese excited about new Barbie
As Reese spoke with reporters during her WNBA All-Star media availability, there was another special guest making its rounds around the room: her new signature Barbie Doll.
Advertisement
Reese has been nicknamed the Bayou Barbie since playing at LSU, where she brought the program its first national championship in 2023. She debuted her new doll at WNBA All-Star Weekend — a full-circle moment for the three-time All-Star.
“I really wanted to have a Barbie doll one day and to have a Barbie, you got to be iconic. You have to do some real things,” Reese said on Friday. “I knew it was going to take some time because there’s so many great women that are Barbie dolls and they have their own doll, but I knew that’s what I wanted. And I spoke that into existence.”
WNBA All-Star schedule
Thursday, July 23
-
WNBA Live: 4-8 p.m. ET at McCormick Place. An interactive fan festival featuring athlete appearances, activations, and merchandise.
Advertisement
Friday, July 24
-
WNBA Live: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET at McCormick Place
-
Skills Night: 6 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena. Features the WNBA Shooting Stars and WNBA 3-Point Contest (ESPN)
Saturday, July 25
-
WNBA Live Presented by AWS: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET at McCormick Place
-
WNBA All-Star Game: 6:30 p.m. ET at the United Center (ABC, Disney+)
Watch the WNBA all season on Fubo (free trial)
WNBA All-Star teams
Team Coop
Starters
Reserves
-
Angel Reese, F, Atlanta Dream
Staff
-
General Manager Cynthia Cooper
Team Spoon
Starters
-
Caitlin Clark, G, Indiana Fever
Reserves
-
Jonquel Jones, F, New York Liberty
Staff:
-
General Manager Teresa Weatherspoon
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Angel Reese opens up about Barack Obama selfie, new Barbie doll
