Angel Reese’s 521 rebounds in 2026 set a league record. One day after the Finals loss, she was already reframing the year. Despite facing heartbreak in Game 7, Reese returned to social media with a heartfelt look back at the 2026 season, reflecting on a campaign filled with personal milestones and emotional highs and lows. And in support, several familiar names from the basketball world popped out to show their support.

“I’m still numb from how it ended, but I realize not many get to experience this in just their 3rd year in the league. I’m BEYOND PROUD & have absolutely NOTHING to hang my head about. Every loss is a lesson & sometimes it’s not NO, just NOT YET. Delayed, not denied. Trust me, I’m HUNGRY for more.”

Reese also took the time to thank her fans, teammates, friends, and family, highlighting that being surrounded by people who cared about her meant more than “having a historic career year.”

Reese’s reflection quickly drew reactions from fellow athletes. Raven Johnson, who plays alongside Caitlin Clark on the Indiana Fever, was among the first to react.

“❤️❤️❤️❤️,” her post read.

The post was also liked by USC star JuJu Watkins.

It also drew support from a close friend of Reese: Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers.

“What a year 5!????????,” Bueckers wrote, acknowledging the significance of Reese’s campaign.

Recently retired Los Angeles Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike also joined the conversation, commenting, “HERstory ❤️‍????.”

The reactions to Reese went beyond the basketball landscape as well. Tennis superstar Coco Gauff also dropped a heartfelt comment under Reese’s post, writing “legendary.”

What was clear from the reaction to Reese’s post was that the star had quickly established herself in the league, earning props from players at different stages of their careers.

Reese had perhaps the most eventful 2026 of any star in the league. Right before the season began, she was traded to the Atlanta Dream from the Chicago Sky, and now, finally on a playoff-caliber team, she made her impact felt.

She averaged 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game in 2026, becoming the first player in league history to grab over 500 boards in one season. Her 521 rebounds and 206 offensive rebounds were both single-season records, and she also set the league record for most double-doubles in a season with 32.

Angel Reese also grabbed 26 rebounds in a game, breaking a record that stood for over two decades by surpassing the previous mark of 24 set by Chamique Holdsclaw.

For her efforts, the Dream star earned the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming the first player in franchise history to receive the honor. She was also named to the All-WNBA Second Team and the All-Defensive First Team, capping off an amazing two-way season.

The Dream dominated the postseason, becoming the only team this season to win every game before the Finals. Additionally, she helped the Dream achieve its first Finals game wins, with the team having been swept in its three previous appearances in the early 2010s.

The Valkyries won the first winner-take-all Game 7 in WNBA history, 68-63. Angel Reese struggled, finishing with eight points and 12 rebounds. However, her postgame message focused on those who had made the journey worthwhile. Among those was her mother, to whom she dedicated a section of her Instagram post.

“Mom, I’m so grateful I got to experience this moment with you,” she wrote. “Every high, every low, every emotion, you’ve been right here. I love you more than words could ever explain. ????.”

The disappointment of missing out on a championship has not overshadowed what Angel Reese and her team have accomplished this season, and the forward is already looking ahead instead of dwelling on the defeat. If her message is any indication, she intends to return in 2027 with the same hunger that carried her through Year 3.

The post Caitlin Clark’s Teammate, Paige Bueckers & Others React After Angel Reese Drops an Emotional Season-Ending Message appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.