Angel Reese surprises mother, paying off her mortgage so she can retire
Reese's mother nearly dropped her birthday cake at the news
There might be nothing more heartwarming in sports than an athlete sharing their newfound prosperity with the family members who played a key role in achieving that success.
WNBA star Angel Reese showed the gratitude she has for her mother with a surprise birthday gift. During her "Unapologetically Angel" podcast, Reese gave her mother, Angel Webb Reese, a cake and then quickly followed that with a big present.
Angel Reese paid off her mom's mortgage for her birthday 🥺❤️
(via @angelreeseshow)pic.twitter.com/gqRlcI6THu— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 31, 2025
"You said that if your mortgage was paid off, you would retire," Reese explained. "Or you can pick if you want to work still. So your mortgage today has been paid."
Reese's mother nearly dropped her birthday cake upon hearing the news. She then broke down as her daughter embraced her.
Not many better ways to reward your mother for all of her sacrifices! 🥹#AngelReese pic.twitter.com/gAyzTPEjlk
— The Reese Effect 👑 (@TheReeseEffect) January 30, 2025
It's worth noting that WNBA players aren't paid millions like their NBA counterparts. Reese signed a four-year, $324,383 deal as a rookie with the Sky. She will make at least $100,000 with Unrivaled. And numerous endorsement deals with companies such as Reebok and McDonald's have added to her income.
However, Reese has always made sure to pay tribute to her mother. The No. 10 she wears was her mother's number.
"Looking at her and seeing how she never backed down to anything. She always stood her ground," she said on ESPN's "First Take" in 2023. "Being able to just look at her and say, 'Mom, you showed me. You paved the way for me.'"
Reese called paying off the mortgage "a dream come true." She added that she's buying a house in Chicago and said her mother is welcome to stay with her any time. The gratitude keeps on coming, and a great story continues.
In her rookie season in the WNBA, Reese averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting. She set league records for rebounds in a season and double-doubles by a rookie.