In a surprising moment that has caught the attention of sports fans and social media, Angel Reese, a rising star in the WNBA, made headlines with a bold bet involving NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The bet, which revolved around O’Neal’s notorious free-throw shooting skills, ended in a way that no one anticipated
Reese, known for her competitive spirit, jokingly wagered $100,000 that O’Neal would miss a free throw, as seen in a video she posted Wednesday on her Instagram Story. “$100,000 dollars if you make this shot. Let’s see,” Reese said. O’Neal’s well-documented struggles with free throws during his NBA career made this bet particularly audacious. The two were in a gym, seemingly filming content, when the bet was made.
To her surprise, the 52-year-old Hall of Famer made the free throw easily. Reese, whose NIL valuation is $1.8 million, according to On3, wrote in the clip, “I guess I owe him $100k,” accompanied by a loud crying face emoji.
Angel Reese and Shaquille O’Neal have a close relationship, with the Chicago Sky forward affectionately calling him “uncle.” Their bond started during her time at LSU, where O’Neal is also an alumnus. He has supported her throughout her career, and their fun interaction over the bet highlights their friendship.
The bet was significant because it represented much of Reese’s salary as a rookie in the WNBA. She signed a four-year contract worth about $324,383, averaging around $81,096 per year. By betting $100,000—more than 20% of her total contract—Reese raised eyebrows among fans and critics. Several lucrative sponsorship deals with brands like Reebok and Reese’s Pieces support Reese’s finances despite losing the bet.
Angel Reese’s Record-Breaking Rookie Season And Historic Achievements In The WNBA
In her rookie season, Reese had an impressive performance, averaging 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The WNBA named her to the All-Rookie team alongside superstar Caitlin Clark, who won the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award. They also named Reese an All-Star, and she led the WNBA in rebounding.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Angel Reese made WNBA history by recording over seven double-doubles in a row, breaking the record set by WNBA legend Candace Parker. In the 2023-24 NCAA season, Reese averaged 18.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, shooting 47.1% from the field. She earned the 2024 SEC Player of the Year title after leading LSU on a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, including a significant 78-69 win over No. 2 seed UCLA. In the Tigers’ final game against Iowa, she had an impressive 17 points and 20 rebounds.
Reese’s junior season at LSU was also remarkable. In her first year, she averaged career-highs of 23.0 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 52.5%. She earned First-Team All-American honors and was named the 2023 Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading LSU to a national championship.
