Paige Bueckers and A’ja Wilson Join Angel Reese to Slay 2026 Met Gala

Over the last three years, Angel Reese has established herself as the WNBA’s fashion queen after her forays into the world of fashion caught everyone’s attention.

From her rookie season, the Maryland native made it a point to spread her wings. Even before she made her debut in the WNBA, Reese was at the 2024 Met Gala, making sure everyone knew she was serious about fashion.

Appearances at the top fashion shows in her first offseason ensured that everyone in the celebrity world knew her name. Some critics were jealous of her efforts, but she stayed true to her goal.

Last season, she repeated her Met Gala appearance, and then ramped it up with a couple of walks down the hallowed Victoria’s Secret runway. She became the first professional athlete to model for the brand, and that cemented her as a fashion icon.

There was no doubt that the rest of the league was watching. Even though there are many players who slay tunnel fits and appear on top magazine covers, they were not part of the fashion world in the way the now Atlanta Dream star is.

That changed at the 2026 edition of the Met Gala, where Reese was not the only WNBA star at the event. This time, A’ja Wilson and Paige Bueckers tagged along.

Met Gala Monday
Tip-Off Friday

See ya soon 😉 pic.twitter.com/DOT1toxzmu

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 5, 2026

Last year, the New York Liberty, then champions, sent their Big 3 in Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones. This time, it was the league sending its best.

What better way to represent the league than by sending its four-time league MVP and its reigning Rookie of the Year, along with the designated fashionista in Angel Reese?

A’ja Wilson made a statement at the Met Gala alongside Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers

Angel Reese is a regular and has made it clear in the past that just being a professional athlete does not mean one cannot explore other areas to shine in.

At this year’s Met Gala, Essence approached A’ja Wilson to discuss her presence as a black woman at the event. The highest-paid player in the WNBA took a moment and said this:

Showing up as an unapologetic self, accepting who we are, we deserve more credit for that. No one does it like us.

A’ja Wilson replied

The three-time champion felt that women like her, Angel Reese, and the other black female athletes and celebrities present at the show needed to make a statement.

No one does it like us!

You heard it from the highest-paid and most awarded WNBA player, A’Ja Wilson, when Black women show up as themselves, that's their superpower. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/vzMuaMp6fX

— ESSENCE (@Essence) May 5, 2026

Wilson has spoken about the need for black women to make their mark in the world, and this was her way of letting WNBA fans know that she is embracing this moment with pride.

Angel Reese talks about confidence in the fashion world

After speaking with A’ja Wilson, Essence also caught up with Angel Reese after she posed for pictures. The host asked her what her presence at the Met Gala said about her confidence:

I’m really confident within myself. Nobody can tell me I’m not that girl. I’mma wake up every morning because I’m blessed, I’m grateful. I’m just so thankful for this life and being able to have this opportunity… All the women out there I saw earlier today, hopefully they know that they have a space in this industry.

Angel Reese replied

The Dream superstar made it clear that young women like herself can look forward to such opportunities as it is possible if one makes the right moves.

She. Her. THAT GIRL.

Angel Reese is back on the #MetGala carpet, and she’s stepping into her new era with confidence that’s radiating.

Let ‘em know, Angel! pic.twitter.com/MZkgo84XXN

— ESSENCE (@Essence) May 4, 2026

She reiterated that she is grateful for such opportunities. But added that just because she is a woman, and a black woman at that, she does not have to listen to stereotypes and do what she feels is best for her.

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