Reebok and Angel Reese Take It Off the Court
Basketball is booming in Europe, and Reebok is along for the ride. Last night in Berlin, one of the most hyped nights on the international basketball calendar was followed by an exclusive event hosted by the brand in partnership with Zalando, and at its helm was one of the game’s biggest stars: Angel Reese.
Celebrating the launch of the AR1, a winged and cushioned signature basketball shoe which has Angel’s fingerprints all over it, the event took place just after the game in Berlin—providing an afterparty for that rare moment that American basketball crosses the pond.
An illuminated tunnel at the entrance to the space recreated the ‘tunnel walk’ moment that’s become legendary in basketball, with Angel one of its most celebrated practitioners. Once through said tunnel, a party awaited. Music from @jada.jpg, @stickle, and @moneyama pumped into the night, Berlin institution Magic John’s served up pizza, and @lucio101 gave a show-stopping performance. Guests were also invited to explore a rare collection of Reebok’s archive silhouettes.
A vision in black fur, Angel made her own entrance after the big game wrapped up next door, and Highsnobiety grabbed her for a chat. The fit was the first topic addressed, of course: “I’m in fur right now—I do live in Orlando, but when I get to travel to a cold city I love to put on a bit of fur.” And what sneaker is top of her current rotation? The AR1, obviously.
Prioritising versatility both on and off the court, the AR1 is a true performance innovator, and signals a shift back towards serious sporting competition from Reebok. That’s not to say, however, that the design doesn’t still pop. The AR1 is essentially Angel’s personality distilled into a shoe: performance-first, of course, but with that signature Bayou Barbie flare.
Even the names of colorways signal small angelic touches: ‘Diamond Dust’, for example, or ‘Mebounds’. The latter pays tribute to Angel’s signature move of reclaiming the ball after her own missed shot—originally a criticism of her style which, in typical Angel fashion, she adopted to her advantage.
As the night wound down, the message was clear: this wasn’t just a sneaker launch, but a statement of intent. By bringing Angel Reese and the AR1 to Berlin, Reebok signaled its commitment to meeting the modern game where sport, style, and culture collide, no matter the continent.
The Angel Reese 1 in Vector Navy and White is available as early global early launch now on Reebok.eu and Zalando.com.
