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You have to hand it to WNBA superstar Angel Reese. Not only has Reese established herself as one of the league’s most popular players, but it’s also becoming clear that she’s an elite marketer.
Reese, who rose to fame as the centerpiece of a national championship-winning team at LSU, made the All-Star Game in each of her first two seasons in the WNBA.
What’s perhaps more impressive, though, is that she did so despite being one of the league’s worst shooters.
Reese shot just 40 percent from the field as a rookie despite the majority of her shots coming from within three feet of the basket, according to Basketball Reference. In year two, Reese improved her shooting percentage to 47.8 percent, but her shooting percentage around the basket still hovered at just over 50 percent.
Angel Reese Turned Her ‘Mebounds’ Into A Big Payday
The good news is, Reese’s relentless motor meant that she led the league in offensive rebounds, giving her the chance to miss even more shots around the basket. Reese became so good at creating putback opportunities for herself that she even went and trademarked the term “Mebounds.”
On the most recent episode of her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, Reese revealed that she’s sold more than six figures worth of “Mebounds” merch since trademarking the term.
“They tried to clown me for rebounds,” Reese said. “And what did I do? I made a bag off of it. Six figures-plus. So y’all can try again, because I do need another idea for some more colorways, so just keep it coming.”
From a sporting perspective, it may not be the best look. Ideally, she’d have zero “mebounds” if she just made all of her layups and putbacks.
But it’s hard to knock the hustle. Heck, even noted Reese hater Dave Portnoy was impressed by the marketing savvy.
That being said, Reese’s lack of development around the rim, as well taste for the spotlight, seems to have soured the Chicago Sky organization on the two-time All-Star. Which is why is appears that Reese and her “Mebounds” will likely have a new home come the start of the next WNBA season.