$16 Billion Brand Teases Major Update Around Caitlin Clark’s Teammate Minutes After Angel Reese’s Reebok Announcement
Aliyah Boston was the first college player to sign an NIL deal with Under Armour when the brand roped her in 2022. After being with Under Armour for a year, she decided that it was time for a change when she moved to the WNBA as the No. 1 Draft pick in 2023. The Indiana Fever center signed a multiyear footwear and apparel endorsement deal with Adidas.
Boston joined the likes of Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper in the adidas family. Her position in the WNBA has gone up since then, winning the 2023 rookie of the year and becoming one of the cornerstones of the Indiana Fever rebuild along with Caitlin Clark, so her value to the brand has gone up too.
This isn’t just about her game, she’s become a fan favorite for her leadership and heart, like when she stepped in to show unity after a heated moment between Clark and Angel Reese in a May 2025 game, even offering to cover teammate Boston’s $200 technical foul fine after Boston intervened to defuse the tension.
The brand has now teased a signature adidas logo for Boston, as she already seems to have debuted that in the game against the Washington Mystics. She wore that logo for the first time on the Adidas DON Issue 6 PEs. This comes after the brand gifted her a personalized colorway of the Exhibit Select 2.0. The colorway was a tribute to her roots from the Virgin Islands and features a map of her hometown, St.Thomas. The ‘Virgin Island Pride VI Strong’ even has the B signature for PE. Boston has always wanted her own shoe line and these recent developments from Adidas.
She said in an interview in 2023, “I absolutely want my own shoe one day. I’ve always been somebody who waits their turn for certain things to come. But I already know that I want the opportunity to wear my own signature shoe on the court at some point. Until then, I’ll let the way I hoop do most of the talking.”
Aliyah Boston continues her ascent in both the WNBA and the sneaker world, recently debuting what appears to be her signature Adidas logo on a pair of D.O.N. Issue #6 Player Exclusives. While this doesn’t yet mark the arrival of a full signature shoe, it’s a strong sign that Adidas sees long-term potential in Boston as a face of the brand.So far, Candace Parker remains the only Adidas WNBA athlete to have received a full signature sneaker line, starting with the Ace Commander in 2010 and most recently the Exhibit B in 2022. Boston could very well be next in line — but she’ll have to wait her turn.
FIRST LOOK: WNBA star Aliyah Boston appears to have debuted her signature adidas logo on a pair of DON Issue 6 PEs 👀 @aa_boston pic.twitter.com/1i1kPWYqE1
— Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) June 4, 2025
Adidas’ chief rival is also stepping up in the WNBA sneaker scene. Chicago Sky sensation Angel Reese is making headlines with the launch of her first Reebok performance basketball sneaker, the Engine A “Pretty Gritty.”
The sneaker features Reese’s upcoming signature logo on the tongue, which marks a major leap forward in Reebok’s reentry into the performance basketball market. This push is being driven by the leadership of Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson, and it reinforces the brand’s commitment to spotlighting rising stars in women’s basketball. The design also features a blend of Black Cherry, Pink Blast, and Black Cherry.
Reese reacted to the latest Reebok news that revealed, “All Glam, All Grit. The latest colorway of Engine A is out now.” She reposted the news and officially announced the latest drop to over 4.9 million followers. “Out now,” Reese said. It is one step closer to Reese’s signature sneaker line launching in 2026. The former LSU star has also displayed her excitement regarding the new color line earlier.
“The Engine A – Pretty Gritty is my player-exclusive colorway for Reebok’s new Engine A Basketball Shoes,” Reese had said. “I’m excited to give fans a glimpse into what’s to come in our overall partnership, and we’re still just getting started.”
Reese debuted the Engine A during her rookie WNBA season, signaling Reebok’s return to performance basketball footwear for the first time since the early 2010s. The Engine A has been worn by her 40% of the time, while she has worn the Reebok Solution Mid other times. The “Pretty Gritty” brings a gritty yet glamorous edge to the court and reflects the increasingly competitive landscape of the women’s sneaker market. The Reebok Engine, A “Pretty Gritty” launched on Wednesday, June 4. Athletes and fans can buy the basketball shoes for $120 in adult sizes at Reebok.com.
Angel Reese recounts mentorship from Shaquille O’Neal
Angel Reese is not only the jeweled crown for the Reebok brand but she is also receiving mentorship from the President of the brand. And it’s not some businessman but Shaquille O’Neal who is accompanied by another NBA legend in Allen Iverson. Reese, who partnered with Reebok for the launch of its Engine A sneaker line, revealed she’s been in regular contact with Shaquille O’Neal.
“He actually called me yesterday,” Reese said. “He was like, ‘I hope you’re not getting soft reading the comments.’ I was like, ‘Of course not. Never that.’”
O’Neal hasn’t just been a vocal supporter. He has actively mentored her, offering game insights through film sessions and situational breakdowns to help sharpen her on-court decision-making.
“He told me, ‘Just because you can get all the rebounds, take your time on the shot,’” Reese said. “Then he walked me through film clips—just finishing around the basket better, taking advantage of my opportunities.”
Guidance from one of the greatest to ever play the game? Any young player would jump at that opportunity, and Angel Reese is living it. She is not only the face of Reebok’s comeback but also receiving direct mentorship from Shaquille O’Neal himself. Right now, that support could not be more crucial. The Chicago Sky are off to a shaky 2–4 start, and Reese has found herself under the microscope. Critics have pointed to her poor shooting percentage and struggles with finishing at the rim, making her a frequent target for online trolls. But with a legend like Shaq in her corner, Reese has the tools and the backing to silence the noise and find her rhythm.
However, she has improved. The 2024 WNBA only made five of her 22 shots in the Sky’s first two games. Since then, however, her shooting percentage has improved from 22.7% to 31.1%. The improvement is steady and the team has also won two straight games against the Dallas Wings. So the graph is trending upwards and she will hope that it continues to when they face the Indiana Fever.
That matchup against Boston and Clark’s Fever is more than a game, it’s a showdown of rising stars and sneaker brands, with Nike and Adidas duking it out off the court as much as the players are on it.
