$250,000 Paycheck Has Angel Reese in the Gym With LeBron James’ Old Trainer

Grind mode on! After cutting her WNBA rookie season short due to a wrist injury, Angel Reese is wasting no time prepping for her comeback. For now, she is gearing up as the Unrivaled League is on the horizon. She’s pulling out all the stops—starting with enlisting an elite trainer.

And not just any trainer, but David Alexander, who famously worked with big names like LeBron James in the past.

Alexander recently shared a clip of their session, captioning it, “𝐇𝐄𝐑! @angelreese5 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏 / 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝟏 Perfecting the kinematic sequence to the seven general movement patterns. #staytuned.”

Reese hyped it up in the comments with, “let’s do itttt.”

For those who don’t know, Alexander is one of the best in the business, having worked with numerous elite athletes, including James, back in 2018. His name even surfaced in LeBron’s alleged doping scandal—but that’s another story altogether.

We know for a fact that Reese isn’t just logging gym hours for fun. There’s a lot on the line. The upcoming Unrivaled League, a groundbreaking 3×3 women’s basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, kicks off on January 17, 2025, in Miami.

And the 22-year-old is set to rake in $250,000 for the eight-week season, plus equity in the league itself. Her WNBA contract with the Chicago Sky is worth $324,383 over four years—averaging just over $81,000 annually—so this Unrivaled deal is a massive boost. But for Reese, it’s about more than just the paycheck.

“For one, I’m staying in the States; I don’t have to go overseas. I’m making six figures, I’m living in Miami during my off-season,” she shared in an interview with WAE. Beyond the lifestyle perks, she’s pumped about competing against top-tier talent. “I’m playing with 34 of some of the best WNBA players. Some of the best coaches… I’m excited to really dial in and get better,” she added.

The rookie is embracing the opportunity to sharpen her skills, soaking up knowledge from seasoned veterans. In her words, “Obviously, the games are going to be cool and fun, but I just want to learn from the vets and stuff.” But before hitting the gym and this grind, Reese made the most of her off-season.

The ‘Bayou Barbie’ recently jetted off to Abu Dhabi, giving fans a sneak peek into her short vacay. Alongside her mom, she explored the desert, dressed in traditional attire, and hopped on camel rides. She shared highlights from her trip on Instagram, captioning it, “48hrs in Abu Dhabi/Dubai @etihad.”

The post showed her embracing her adventurous side, taking selfies with camels, and soaking in the stunning desert landscape. She even made time for the F1 Grand Prix. Reese’s Abu Dhabi escapade came after a string of off-season activities, from attending concerts and hosting guests on her podcast, to vacations. Amidst it all, she also moved to Miami, where the new 3*3 league is supposed to be held.

via Imago

Now that the adventures are behind her, the WNBA star is all business. Back in the gym and ready to grind, she’s fully focused on lighting up the court for Rose Basketball Club.

Let’s see how this new league and her relentless preparation will take her game to the next level.