Fans connected Angel Reese’s WNBA stardom to her viral appearance at UFC 319 on Saturday night. Chicago Sky forward and two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese attended UFC 319 at the United Center in Chicago with Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., and she sparked buzz across social media. Although the 23-year-old has missed the Sky’s last seven games because of a lingering back injury, she stayed in the spotlight off the court by showing up at the highly anticipated event—headlined by middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis against challenger Khamzat Chimaev.
Angel Reese Out with Wendell Carter Jr
Fans Claim Reese Was On A Date With Carter Jr.
Reese is currently enjoying her time off the court, and no return date has been set yet. The 23-year-old, who has become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s basketball, looked relaxed and happy as she posted clips from fight night. She shared her excitement in a post: “UFC is so cool but SCARY” on her Instagram stories. But it was another post with the caption “date night” that caught everyone’s attention and triggered fans’ reactions.
While Reese didn’t say who she was with, many fans connected the dots. They insisted it was Wendell Carter Jr. Some even said they saw the two together. ESPN’s cameras showed them in the crowd.
“Was that not Angel Reese and Wendell Carter?” a fan asked on X. “I swear that’s Wendell Carter Jr.,” another fan posted on X. However, one fan claimed he saw Wendell Carter and Angel Reese while watching the fight.
“I’m watching this UFC fight & I see Wendell Carter & Angel Reese posted 😂,” the fan wrote. This claim was corroborated by another fan who posted: “Angel Reese is at the UFC fights with Wendell Carter. Need the damn drop because she’s looking good.”
Speculation About Angel Reese and Carter Jr.’s Relationship Persisted
Speculation that Reese and Carter are in a relationship has been circulating for some time. This intensified after Carter attended the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis to show his support for Reese. Carter was pictured wearing a t-shirt that showcased Reese’s new signature shoes with Reebok, and he even posed for photos with her at the event. There were also rumours that Carter attended Reese’s 23rd birthday party last May.
Reese also watched several Orlando Magic games last season, adding more fuel to the rumours. However, some fans speculate that Reese goes to Orlando Magic games with her teammate Hailey Van Lith, who is dating Magic star Jalen Suggs.
Despite the intense speculation, neither Carter nor Reese have denied or confirmed that they are in a relationship. Wendell Carter Jr. was previously in the news for dating Connecticut Sun star Olivia Nelson-Ododa. Their relationship first attracted public attention when Olivia wrote “I love you” on a birthday post Wendell made for her. That post has since been deleted, leading fans to think that their relationship has ended — with signs now pointing to Carter Jr. possibly being in a relationship with Reese.
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