Angel Reese Roasted For Her Barbie At FIBA World Cup, Fans Claim ‘No One Buying That In USA’
Angel Reese's Barbie has sparked mixed reactions from fans during the FIBA World Cup, with some taking aim at the doll's popularity in the U.S.
Video Transcript
Angel Reese is facing online criticism after discussing her Barbie doll ahead of Team USA's opening game at the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin.
Reese said she hopes the doll can reach young girls international, while some social media users questioned the promotion.
Reese is making her FIBA World Cup debut with the US senior team, which begins the tournament against China on September fourth.
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are also set to make their competitive senior national team debuts.
Team USA is the defending champion.
She spoke about her Barbie doll and said she wanted to bring that representation to audiences around the world.
FIBA later shared the interview on X with her comments.
The Barbie is tied to Reese's nickname Bayou Barbie, which became associated with her during her college career at LSU.
Mattel announced in late July that Reese was the latest athlete to receive a Barbie signature doll.
After FIBA posted the interview, several users on X criticized Reese and questioned whether the doll would be popular outside the United States.
Other comments targeted her public image and recent on-court behavior.
Some users also made unverified claims about dolls being distributed in Germany.
Those claims were comments from users and were not established as facts.
The response came as Reese prepares for her first World cup appearance.
She is part of a US roster that includes veterans Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, and Napheesa Collier, along with younger players.
Reese enters the tournament after setting the WNBA record for most double doubles in a single season.
She is also among the younger players on the US roster.
The United States opens against China on September Fourth before continuing group play against Italy and Czechia.
The group stage runs through September Seventh, with knockout round games scheduled through September Thirteenth.
Reese has said she is looking forward to the competition wants to help Team USA pursue another World Cup title.
With Reese now set to make her World Cup debut, the US begins its title defense in Berlin.
