Angel Reese isn’t dodging the noise, she’s turning it into fuel.
The Chicago Sky forward is leaning all the way into the viral “mebounds” nickname, flipping the internet jab into a full-fledged merch line. And while she’s making a business move, she’s also making it personal, pledging part of the proceeds to a cause close to her heart: the fight against cyberbullying.
On Friday morning, Reese unveiled her latest drop, featuring everything from T-shirts and hoodies to hats and crop tops stamped with the made-up word that started as a dig. But instead of letting it get under her skin, she’s wearing it with pride, and encouraging others to do the same.
“Whoever came up with the mebounds thing, y’all ate,” Reese said in a TikTok video, showing she’s in on the joke and owning it.
Angel Reese recently filed to trademark “mebounds,” aiming to use the term for a new apparel line. The phrase started as online mockery about her grabbing rebounds from her own missed shots. Instead of taking offense, Reese turned the joke into a symbol of strength. Now, she’s flipping criticism into creativity with a bold fashion statement. Her new merch drop isn’t just trendy, it supports a cause, raising money to fight cyberbullying.
But Reese isn’t just cashing in. In her announcement, she made it clear that a portion of the sales will benefit the Angel C. Reese Foundation, which works to combat cyberbullying. The initiative hits home for the 23-year-old, who has faced a flood of online hate throughout her rising basketball career.
Reese didn’t shy away from acknowledging the phrase’s roots, either. In her words, the original creator deserves some credit. “If the OG creator of the word ever shows face, maybe Reese could hook them up with a care package,” she teased.
As Reese’s popularity grows, on and off the court, so does her ability to shape the conversation around her. What could’ve been a punchline has now turned into a platform. By merging purpose with product, she’s showing that clapping back doesn’t always have to be loud. Sometimes, it’s just about wearing the moment literally and making sure it means something.
Arnab Mondal is an NFL writer for Total Pro Sports, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise from his extensive experience in sports journalism. His proficiency inRead More
