Angel Reese is no stranger to the spotlight, but her latest comments ahead of her first signature shoe release with Reebok have put her directly in the middle of a heated conversation about ambition, legacy, and the risks of drawing comparisons to one of the most iconic figures in sports history. The 22-year-old Chicago Sky forward, now in her second year in the WNBA, is preparing for the highly anticipated launch of her “Angel Reese 1s,” a sneaker line that she hopes will transcend basketball and become a cultural staple.
In a recent interview with Elle, Reese made her vision clear: she doesn’t just want her shoes to be worn on the court, she wants them to be everywhere, saying, “I want people to wear the Angel Reese 1s everywhere and just to be a household name, just like how they wear Jordans everywhere.” Her statement was accompanied by a quote circulating online that read, “Jordans are for the past. My shoes are for the future,” which only amplified the reaction. For many fans, hearing a young star with just two years in the league mention her brand in the same breath as Michael Jordan struck a nerve. Jordan’s Air Jordans are not just sneakers; they are a global phenomenon that has defined sports, fashion, and culture for decades.
Built on the back of his six NBA championships, transcendent stardom, and Nike’s marketing genius, Air Jordans became so influential that they were eventually spun off into their own brand, with Jordan serving as chairman. Today, the Jordan Brand generates billions annually, and Jordan himself is a billionaire. To put into perspective the cultural force of Jordans, one only needs to look at history. In the 1980s and 1990s, the shoes were so coveted that robberies over them became headlines, and even in 2025, the demand remains extreme. Earlier this year, thieves stole nearly 2,000 pairs of Air Jordans valued at close to $500,000 from a train in Arizona.
With that kind of legacy, Reese’s bold comparison naturally drew skepticism. On X (formerly Twitter), one commenter bluntly told her, “Stop playing,” while others simply begged her to “please stop.” Another critic was even harsher, writing, “She might be the only person that deserves to be told to shut up and hoop.” These comments highlight the uphill battle Reese faces in convincing the public that her shoes can reach even a fraction of Jordan’s legendary success. Yet despite the criticism, not all of the reaction was negative. Many fans admitted that while the Angel Reese 1s aren’t likely to dethrone Air Jordans, they still look good. The sneakers, which will be available in a range of colors including pink, have been described as stylish and appealing, even by some skeptics.
“They aren’t bad looking,” one commenter admitted, suggesting that while the cultural comparisons may be a stretch, the product itself could find success. Reebok and Nike have been carefully building hype around the launch, slowly releasing images of Reese wearing the sneakers during practices and photo shoots. On Instagram, the reception has been more positive than on X, with fans leaving encouraging comments and excitement for the release. One user revealed the official launch date with enthusiasm, writing, “SURPRISE!! September 18 it’s go time,” fueling anticipation. Reese herself seems unfazed by the backlash, leaning into her ambition rather than backing away.
Like Jordan, she plans to wear her signature sneakers during games, a move that could help solidify their image in the minds of fans and potentially spark demand. In many ways, her bold comparison to Jordan reflects a generational shift. Athletes today, especially younger ones, are far more focused on building brands alongside their athletic careers. Reese, already known for her confidence and charisma, is positioning herself not just as a basketball player but as a cultural figure. While some see this as arrogance, others see it as necessary vision. Whether the Angel Reese 1s will reach anywhere near the heights of Air Jordans is almost beside the point.
The odds of matching a brand that has spanned nearly four decades of dominance are slim, but Reese’s willingness to even make the comparison shows a fearless belief in herself and her potential impact. For the WNBA, this moment is significant as well. Few women’s basketball players have been given the opportunity to launch their own signature shoes, and Reese’s entry into the sneaker world is a sign of growing recognition for women athletes. Even if the Reese 1s don’t achieve Jordan-level cultural dominance, they could still represent progress in terms of visibility, influence, and representation for women in sports.
As the release date approaches, the question remains whether Reese’s comments will be remembered as a youthful misstep in overconfidence or as the first chapter of a story where she eventually proved her doubters wrong. For now, the world is watching closely as she prepares to lace up her shoes and step onto the court wearing her own creation, hoping that her performance can match her ambition. One thing is clear: whether praised or criticized, Angel Reese has made sure her name and her shoes are at the center of the conversation.