Recently, the cross-league dating scene between NBA and WNBA players has grown significantly.

While mutual respect and admiration among the two have always been present, historically, active romantic relationships between players in both leagues have been rare. However, with the WNBA’s skyrocketing success and popularity, the gap has begun to narrow.

That is due to the vast physical differences between the two genders. For men, like NBA players, being tall has always been the standard. But for women like WNBA players, who are much taller than the average woman, it’s hard to find a partner who matches the same physical attributes.

For Angel Reese, that has certainly been the case, as she has made clear what she’s looking for in a partner.

“He got to be tall,” said Reese when describing her type. “6’7’’, 6’8’’”

Basically, NBA players

After describing her type, Reese concluded that the only man who could fulfill her wish is an NBA player. Still, being tall isn’t going to cut it for her, as Angel expressed a few more conditions her boyfriend has to meet, including living up to her standards.

“I have a standard of what I live up to and how I live my life,” Reese said. “And as long as you can meet up to that and meet up to my expectations, then yeah.”

“As long as it’s genuine. Don’t be going out of your way and trying to buy me stuff that you can’t afford,” Reese explained. “That’s like going in the store and buying a Louis Vuitton bag that’s $3,000, but you can’t buy it twice. So, like I said, know what you’re getting yourself into.”

Oddly enough, her wishes came true as recent reports suggest Angel has been dating Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr.

The rumors started in 2025 when the center attended Angel’s 23rd birthday, before Carter wore a custom shirt featuring Reese at the WNBA All-Star Game. Later that year, Wendell confirmed the rumors were true, and it has been a ride ever since.

The couple is known for supporting each other, as both attend their partners’ games and frequently cheer one another on social media.

A shared spotlight of the WNBA and the NBA has led to a pairing between its players

The W’s growth is fueled not only by massive media rights deals and a mainstream cultural rise, but also by growing viewership and fandom, which have elevated its stars to a level of celebrity status similar to NBA players.

Now, players share the same trainers, sponsors, and global stages, such as the Olympics. While the NBA will always be the leader of the pack, the shared spotlight among the two leagues can’t be denied.

As a result, the integration of both platforms has led to a rise in romantic relationships among their counterparts, forming elite power couples and a true “Love and Basketball” story, including Bam Adebayo and A’ja Wilson alongside Reese and Carter Jr.

Not only do both sides share basketball as their primary bond, but they also play the game at the highest level. They know both the positives and the negatives, and what it takes to survive in a similar environment, creating a connection only a few could relate to.