“Pretty and Gritty”: Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington Steer Reebok’s Basketball Comeback
WNBA stars Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington are at the forefront of Reebok Basketball’s resurgence, bringing a blend of flair, tenacity, and authenticity to the brand’s evolving identity.
The two athletes are serving as lead ambassadors in Reebok’s renewed focus on women’s basketball, combining performance and purpose in a campaign that seeks to leave a cultural imprint as much as a commercial one.
Reese, known for her presence in the paint and unapologetic confidence, is averaging 9.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for the Chicago Sky. She recently launched a new sneaker colorway titled the Engine A “Pretty Gritty.” For Reese, the name and design are deeply personal.
“Me and DiJonai—we play gritty—we’re pretty, but we’re gritty,” Reese told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Just being able to have people that align with the brand was the most important thing.”
A Perfect Pairing of Style and Substance
This alignment—encompassing style, substance, and camaraderie—is central to Reebok’s strategy. While Reese and Carrington play different positions, their energy and passion are perfectly synchronized. Reese, a powerful presence near the basket, and Carrington, a relentless, high-energy guard, both embody the brand’s bold return.
“Shaq and Allen [Iverson], great players, two different positions—but they both had that fight, strength, and love for the game,” Reese told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Same for me and DiJonai. Reebok is back, for sure.”
Carrington, who joined the Dallas Wings this offseason, said being part of Reebok’s relaunch carries significant meaning, not only due to the brand’s legacy but also because she is actively shaping its future. She is averaging 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game this season.
“I’m thrilled they’re back, and I’m even more excited to be part of this inaugural group bringing Reebok Basketball back,” Carrington told DallasHoopsJournal.com.
DiJonai Carrington’s Voice and Vision
Carrington is playing a vital role in Reebok’s resurgence, both on and off the court. She features alongside Reese in the launch of the Engine A sneaker and appears in Reebok’s Netflix documentary “Power Moves,” which explores the brand’s relaunch and the next generation of ambassadors under the guidance of Shaquille O’Neal.
“Shaq and AI are the perfect choices to lead this. When you think about Reebok Basketball, they’re the first names that come to mind,” Carrington emphasized to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It just makes perfect sense to have them involved.”
She even experienced a memorable moment with Iverson during filming.
“We’re practically the same height, and seeing those moves he used to make on the court up close… it just hits differently,” Carrington revealed to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It was a really special moment.”
The campaign’s centerpiece is Reebok’s latest sneaker, the Engine A, which officially debuted on May 15. Carrington, already an admirer of the design, praised its performance features and striking look.
“I really love these,” Carrington told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “They’re incredibly lightweight, which is essential for me because I’m an agile player. I need to be able to change directions quickly and get off the ground fast, and these definitely help with that.”
She also highlighted the shoe’s balanced construction.
“They’re not too low, not too high—more like the perfect low-mids,” Carrington explained to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “And the colors are fire. They’re genuinely comfortable and supportive.”
A Legacy Built on Trust and Mentorship
For Reese, her “Pretty Gritty” colorway incorporates personal elements, such as her “AR” logo with a halo—a tribute to her late grandmother and a nod to her first name.
“My mom named me perfectly after her, so the halo made sense,” Reese explained to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “It just feels like me.”
Their synergy as partners in this campaign extends beyond branding; it’s authentic. Reese and Carrington are not just co-stars—they are co-creators, amplifying each other’s influence.
“DiJonai and I—when you talk about energy and passion, we match each other,” Reese told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She’s one of those players that doesn’t need to say much. You just feel it when she’s on the court. That’s the kind of energy we want to bring to Reebok.”
Adding another dimension to this narrative is the mentorship of Shaquille O’Neal—Reebok’s President of Basketball—who has taken Reese under his wing.
“He actually called me yesterday,” Reese recalled to DallasHoopsJournal.com before the Sky defeated the Wings on Thursday. “He was like, ‘I hope you’re not getting soft reading the comments.’ I was like, ‘Of course not. Never that.’”
Beyond encouragement, O’Neal has been directly involved in her game.
“He told me, ‘Just because you can get all the rebounds, take your time on the shot,’” Reese detailed to DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Then he walked me through film clips—just finishing around the basket better, taking advantage of my opportunities.”
Reese recognizes the rarity of this mentorship.
“He’s obviously one of the greatest scorers and rebounders ever. So to have him in my corner, in my back pocket? That’s huge,” Reese emphasized to DallasHoopsJournal.com.
Building for the Future
While Reese doesn’t have a significant presence in the Power Moves documentary, her creative input behind the scenes, particularly with her shoe release, was a crucial part of Reebok’s storytelling approach.
“I’m not in too much of it,” Reese told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “But just some of the stuff we’ve done creatively behind the scenes—like my shoe drop—was part of that process.”
Looking ahead, both athletes believe Reebok’s return is only the beginning.
“You’re going to continue to see more people wearing Reebok—men’s and women’s,” Reese shared with DallasHoopsJournal.com. “We’re just adding pieces. That’s what this is all about.”
Together, Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington aren’t just the faces of Reebok’s comeback — they’re shaping its future.
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