It is almost a wrap on the glorious year. The 2024 rookie class made a historic debut, New York won its first-ever title, women’s basketball saw new heights, and the players — active and former — end the year laid back, with love, and some words of advice.

From celebrated coach Dawn Staley to college phenom Flau’Jae Johnson, love was a common theme, but twists to the celebrations, they had their own. Here’s how:

Angel Reese

The journey from Bayou Barbie to Chi-town Barbie hasn’t been easy for 22-year-old Maryland native Angel Reese. Yet, she shined in her debut WNBA season. On and off the court, Reese was a standout, averaging nearly 13 points and 13 rebounds per game, marking her place in history with the highest double-double streak as a rookie. She is all set to take over at Unrivaled soon, already making it to Miami and back in the gym.

But taking a quick turn, Reese claims to have had a wonderful Christmas. “this christmas was sooo good <3 #blessedgirl,” she wrote, after sending out wishes and before revealing she also had some time to enjoy a nice healthy meal alongside a glass of wine.

She was also spotted courtside at an Orlando Magic game in a black dress, adorned by fur for the sleeves and the shoulder. Hours later, she was at home, comfortable in her green checkered pajamas and dancing with her dog Tiago, with “Big Mama” emblazoned on the back.

Flau’Jae Johnson

For Angel Reese’s friend and former teammate Flau’Jae Johnson, Christmas was just as special. After a busy year at LSU, Flau’Jae took a break from basketball and rapping to focus on love. Dressed in holiday red, she shared a picture with her boyfriend, Chris Hilton Jr., both wearing matching festive pajamas, captioning it “Santa Listened” with a red heart. Fans couldn’t get enough of this holiday power couple.

Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley had a remarkable 2024, capturing moments with Olympians across various sports and leading the South Carolina Gamecocks to an impressive 11-1 record. Celebrating their first back-to-back championship title, Staley didn’t miss the chance to spread holiday cheer. She tweeted, “Merriest Christmas to you all!” and reminded everyone to be kind and non-judgmental.

“As we open our gifts, let’s not forget the gift of being a loving, caring, and non-judging human being. Let’s keep spreading it…or let’s start spreading it! Blessings to you all!” Staley’s message resonated, especially with players who often face criticism. What else would have been the perfect occasion for spreading message?

Haley Cavinder

The Cavinder twins never fail to create buzz on social media. This Christmas, Haley and her sister wore matching short cut-out dresses. Haley opted for a golden glittery dress paired with long black boots and loose waves in her hair, all while flashing a broad smile. “Merry Christmas” read her caption.

The twins shared snaps of their holiday meals, their three dogs, and even a photo with their mom and a friend, completing their Christmas celebration.

Katie Lou Samuelson

Indiana Fever standout Katie Lou Samuelson had a delightful Christmas in Greece. Married to an American professional basketball player, she spent the holiday with her husband and their little daughter. “Took a few Elfies today 😉🤣 Merry Christmas from Greece 🎄❤️🥰” she captioned, sharing family glimpses and showcasing their tight bond.

Napheesa Collier

Napheesa Collier also cherished Christmas with her family. She stunned in a green bodycon dress paired with white blingy heels, matching her husband’s green sweater. Their daughter looked equally adorable in a green skirt and white stockings. “Merry Christmas from our family to yours 🎄🎁” she captioned. The family of three also wore matching pajamas, spreading holiday cheer.

Breanna Stewart

The holidays cannot be merrier for Breanna Stewart especially after winning 2024 WNBA championship trophy. To make it more special, she along with her wife, Marta Xargay embraced the holiday spirit, dressing in red co-ord sets along with their two children.

“Merry Christmas from the Stewart Xargay family! Slide 1 vs 3: Instagram vs reality trying to get a family photo ❤️🎄” Stewart wrote, sharing their joyful family moments, as their youngest failed to sit still in the final slide.

Cameron Brink

Cameron Brink kept her Christmas celebration elegant yet simple, donning a black turtleneck paired with a fur-laden skirt and matching stilettos. Her caption, “All I want for Christmas is a healthy knee😇” highlighted her anticipation to return to the court after an ACL injury in June.

Chiney Ogwumike

Chiney Ogwumike who transitioned smoothly from the basketball court to being an ESPN analyst, had a glamorous Christmas. She celebrated the festival at the White House, wearing a glittering golden dress and sharing her joy with the world. “A White House Holiday” she tweeted, looking impressive as ever. But as a basketball fan, she also gushed over the day bringing a matchup between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. “It doesn’t get better than LeBron and Steph ballin out on Christmas Day!!!” she exclaimed.

Candace Parker

Former player Candace Parker enjoyed a family-themed Christmas, with the Parker family dressed in black and white. Even the youngest member, Summit Petrakova Parker, looked adorable in the matching outfit and a huge smile. “Merry Christmas from the Parkers ❤️❤️” she captioned, sharing their festive joy.

Sydney Colson

Las Vegas Aces standout Sydney Colson indeed had a merry Christmas, celebrated by AU Pro Basketball — where she is set to return in 2025 — who posted a tribute on Twitter. She was featured in a fun collage as “one of the faces of the league,” making for an adorable holiday card.

For some of these, it is a brief break before the Unrivaled begins about mind-January. Seems to emit calm before the storm.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese addressed claims that she doesn’t post “enough” about the WNBA in the latest episode of her podcast.

• WNBA News: Chicago Sky’s new hire could be key to Angel Reese’s development
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Chicago Sky star Angel Reese addressed accusations questioning her commitment to her WNBA career during the latest episode of her podcast, Unapologetically Angel. Joined by her manager, Jeanine Ogbonnaya, Reese used the platform to respond directly to the criticism.

Reese has a strong online presence, sharing updates about her activities and commercial commitments, as well as expressing her opinions on various matters. However, some fans feel she doesn’t talk enough about basketball.

“People are like, ‘Angel, how come you don’t post basketball stuff?’” Reese said. “The thing is, why do I have to post in the gym? What about the other 143 women in the WNBA who don’t post they’re in the gym? I think it’s because I live a double life,” she explained, referencing her numerous commitments outside of basketball.

Her manager was quick to highlight Reese’s dedication. “We had a shoot this week, and Angel called me like, ‘What’s my call time? I’m booking a workout,’” Ogbonnaya recalled. “She’s waking up at 5 a.m. to work out before the shoot. We know where her priorities are.”

Ogbonnaya continued, pointing to Reese’s standout rookie season with the Chicago Sky. “Obviously when you’re on the court, it shows where your priorities are. Because people didn’t think that you were going to be able to be as dominant as you were in the WNBA and what you did this season, as a rookie. But, it doesn’t matter, at the end of the day it is engagement.”

New Sky coach looks to elevate Reese in year two

As Reese prepares for her second WNBA season, she’ll first take part in the inaugural season of the 3v3 league Unrivaled, spearheaded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. However, new Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh has already outlined plans to help Reese take her game to the next level.

Speaking to Fox News about Reese and fellow young standout Kamilla Cardoso, Marsh emphasized the importance of building a roster that complements their talents. “I’m excited to put pieces around them that highlight their strengths and to start building a strong culture moving forward,” he said.

The Sky will tip off their season on the road against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever. With Reese and Clark among the league’s most-followed stars, the matchup promises to be a thrilling opener to the new WNBA season.

“It’s hard for me to like date another man with power. ” Angel Reese had made her stance on relationships clear. While the “Chi-town Barbie” is happily enjoying her single era, her dating history continues to spark interest. While fans might remember her high-profile relationship with Cam’Ron Fletcher, which ended in 2024, her latest revelation offers a glimpse into another ex.

In a recent episode of her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Angel Reese welcomed her agent, Jeanine Ogbonnaya, as a guest. During their conversation, Reese revealed a toxic trait in a past relationship which inspired her to channel her energy into achieving success beyond basketball.

“He was brainwashing the boy was brainwashing me saying like you don’t have to work anymore,” Reese shared about her ex-boyfriend during college times.

Jeanine Ogbonnaya took a moment to commend Angel Reese for how she handled the situation, saying, “But you know but you…were very smart about the situation as a young woman, especially as somebody in college and you were like I don’t want that to be the case he might make it to the NFL. However, like I feel like I could have a career in social media marketing outside of like basketball.” 

During her freshman year at Maryland, Angel Reese suffered a foot fracture after a layup, requiring surgery, a screw insertion, and 12 weeks of recovery. Faced with doubts and an ex-boyfriend’s suggestion to stop working, Reese briefly considered alternate career paths.

However, she persevered and thrived. At LSU, Reese’s NIL value soared to $1.8 million, earning her partnerships with top industry brands. In fact, Ogbonnaya had previously shared how Reese’s hard work post-championship fueled her rise.

Angel Reese’s relentless drive post-LSU Championship

When Angel Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky this year, she brought with her an exceptional collegiate resume. Her two standout years at LSU, following a transfer from Maryland, showcased her determination to achieve one clear goal: securing an NCAA championship. And she did just that. But instead of resting on her success, Reese’s ambition only grew stronger.

When The Money Game debuted on Prime Video, it gave fans a window into Angel Reese’s mindset after clinching the NCAA title. Her agent, Jeanine Ogbonnaya, who appeared in the series, shared, “Angel has not had a week, a day, an hour off since she won the national championship.”

Reese led LSU to the 2023 championship, making waves with her bold move against Caitlin Clark in the finals. Her stellar performance led to a surge of NIL opportunities. Emphasizing her long-term vision, she stated, “I am not doing a deal just for three months. I wanna work with these brands for a lifetime.”

The rookie also reasoned on the importance of deals and said, “And for the women’s side, stacking your money for four years straight is something that’s gonna be helpful, especially women that may not go the next level. You kind have to get it how you get it.” Therefore, the Chi-town Barbie’s journey reflects her determination and relentless work ethic, turning challenges into opportunities as she remained undeterred by her ex-boyfriend’s suggestion.

Angel Reese is enjoying her last few weeks not playing basketball while watching others play. It was all about her fit, though, and who she sat next to at an NBA game on Monday.

The Chicago Sky All-Star has had a memorable offseason of fits like her Wild ‘n Out bootytlicious look, and her unreal luxury fit while riding a camel in Dubai.

Reese is off until the new 3×3 Unrivaled league starts January 17 in Miami, Florida where she will play for the Rose Basketball Club.

Before then, Reese ventured to Central Florida for the Orlando Magic vs. the Boston Celtics game where she sat next to Magic player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s wife McKenzie Caldwell-Pope, who Reese called a “HOT MOM” on her post.

The way Angel Reese enjoys luxury is, well, something else. From her fashion choices to unapologetic confidence, she’s become the poster child. Back in her college days, she was a standout among college athletes, cashing in on their name, image, and likeness. And it wouldn’t have been possible if she hadn’t transferred to LSU from Maryland. But do you know Reese almost didn’t end up at LSU? So, what made her change her mind?

Reese’s longtime manager, Jeanine, recalls how the transfer to LSU wasn’t initially a no-brainer for the star forward. “So, you transferred to LSU, and you know what? The deals started getting, like, way more interesting at that point,” Jeanine explained. Reese chimed in, “Do you remember when I sat down and talked to them about the NIL part? Honestly, LSU wasn’t even my option. I was scared to commit. I was going to go to South Carolina or Tennessee, I think.”

But then fate stepped in. “Kim called,” Reese shared, referring to LSU’s head coach Kim Mulkey. “I was like, okay, bet—I’ll just go. But I can’t even imagine what my life would look like if I hadn’t made that decision.” And, well, the rest is history.

Jeanine described the decision as nothing short of destiny. “Like if she would have gone out anywhere else, it was really The perfect Storm, and it was just Destiny; it was fate, it was God; it was all the things you believe in like you could never have dreamed it, but yeah, so you transferred LSU, and the deals start getting bigger they were bigger, bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger,” she said on Angel’s podcast Unapologetically Angel.

By the time the 2023 NCAA Tournament rolled around, her NIL value jumped from $371,000 to $1.3 million in just a month, eventually hitting $1.8 million. It basically came after she went viral for her trash-talking and bold gestures toward Caitlin Clark, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ star. The media was quick to brand her a ‘villain’, but in a way, it worked for Chi-Town Barbie. And now she doesn’t shy away from flaunting it.