Team USA wasted no time making a statement at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. But while the scoreboard told the story of a dominant Team USA victory, one moment involving Angel Reese is now stealing the spotlight.
The official FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup X account shared a clip showing Rhyne Howard receiving a pass from Paige Bueckers before sending the ball toward the basket. The attempt hit the glass, but Reese was already positioned near the rim.
Reese jumped and grabbed the rebound in midair and, almost immediately after landing, jumped again to finish the play and score. The sequence showcased not just her ability to secure rebounds, but also her athleticism.
The clip quickly went viral on social media, with the WNBA world wasting little time reacting to Reese's impressive sequence.
The reaction highlights what made the play so impressive. Reese did not simply rise once and secure the ball before waiting for another opportunity. She hit the floor and instantly went back up, while China's Ziting Tang, who was defending her, jumped only once before leaving the play.
One influencer summed up the moment by writing , "This clip shows why Angel Reese is the greatest rebounder in WNBA history. Her quick jump goes unnoticed, and she can elevate higher than most. #9 from China jumped once, while AR was able to bounce twice within the same amount of time. I believe she'll have a 15 RPG season. She averaged 13 RPG as a rookie with Kamilla Cardoso beside her," whereas another user simply wrote , "Aura."
The Team USA star made a genuine rebound before immediately finishing the play, and one influencer even appeared to give the sequence a new name.
"They're REESEbounds," the user said , whereas another fan wrote , "When Angel starts using her athleticism on offense *consistently*, I STG it's over."
While most users were busy praising Reese for her impressive performance and athleticism, one fan took a different approach. The user admitted they did not expect Reese to be able to make a jump like that. "Thought she couldn't jump," the user wrote .
Team USA's opening-night victory may have belonged to the entire roster, but Reese's viral sequence offered fans another glimpse of the energy she brings to the floor. Now it remains to be seen how she performs in the next game against Italy.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
