WNBA Star Angel Reese Moves Mom to Tears by Paying Off Her Mortgage

WNBA star Angel Reese gave her mom Angel Webb Reese—also known as “Mama Angel”—the birthday surprise of a lifetime by paying off her mortgage as a token of appreciation.

By Will Reid Jan 31, 2025 8:59 PMTags
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Angel Reese is making dreams come true for her family.

After presenting her mom Angel Webb Reese—also known as “Mama Angel”—with a birthday cake on her Unapologetically Angel podcast, the WNBA star unveiled another big surprise for the woman that made her who she is.

“You said that if your mortgage was paid off that you will retire, or you won't work, or you can pick if you want to work still,” the 22-year-old said on the Jan. 30 episode of the podcast. “So your mortgage, today, has been paid.”

The heartwarming reveal left Mama Angel, 54, so stunned that she nearly dropped her cake before fighting back tears, due in part to the fact that she thought she had already received her present.

“When you gave me the Four Seasons [gift] card, I thought that was my birthday gift,” she told her daughter, who responded, “Now you know I come harder than that.”

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And while the gesture was a welcome surprise for Angel’s mom, the Chicago Sky power forward explained that it was a significant moment for her as well.

“That was my biggest goal in life,” Angel gushed. “To retire you and pay your mortgage or whatever you wanted for you not to work. But you’re a hardworking woman, you don’t need me for no money. And I love that about you.”

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

In fact, the basketball pro hinted that her mom might not be ready to give up her day job just yet.

“If you wanna still work and keep yourself busy, you can keep yourself busy,” Angel continued. “And when I move to Chicago—I’m getting a house, y’all—you can come stay with me whenever you want to.”

Angel previously discussed her close bond with her mother, noting that Mama Angel influenced not only her passion for basketball, but also her love of fashion.

“I was always in my mom’s closet, putting on her stuff,” she told Vogue in an interview published Jan. 8. “I liked to carry a purse. Hair done. I wanted to look put together. I still do.”

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