When Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese landed in Chicago for the All-Star weekend, it took her a little more time than usual to deplane, thanks to another VIP landing at the same time.

That VIP was none other than former US president Barack Obama, who is actively involved in the event just because of his deep love for the game of basketball.

"When my plane was landing yesterday ... they said, 'VIP. Nobody can get off the plane,'" Reese funnily recalled on Friday in a press conference. "I'm like, 'Well, we're VIP too.' And then they said, 'Obama.' And I was like, 'OK, OK, OK.'”

Regardless, Reese was eventually able to meet Obama alongside her peers at the eponymous Barack Obama Presidential Center, and she was not going to let the opportunity of taking a photo with the former president pass.

Obama also gave a brief speech to all the players during team practice, shook everyone's hand, and even played one-on-one with Jonquel Jones. He also posed for photos, with Reese describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Not everybody just gets to meet Barack (Obama). That was my first time too," added Reese, who took pictures of her teammates with the former president.

Reese has also met with the former president's wife, Michelle Obama, most recently alongside her brother Craig Robinson on her podcast. The trio discussed everything from mental health to navigating fame.

"Michelle (Obama) made me feel the empowerment of what a woman is like to go through so many different things," Reese said.

Reese's media availability was not limited to just Obama, as another special guest was making its rounds around the room, her new signature Barbie Doll.

Angel Reese's Dream Come True Moment

Angel Reese earned the tag "Bayou Barbie" due to her time in Louisiana alongside her glamorous playstyle. Well, that tag just got real.

Reese joins a list of star athletes who have their very own Barbie doll, as the Atlanta Dream star announced on her social media ahead of the All-Star weekend.

"I really wanted to have a Barbie doll one day and to have a Barbie, you got to be iconic. You have to do some real things," Reese said on Friday.

"I knew it was going to take some time because there's so many great women that are Barbie dolls and they have their own doll, but I knew that's what I wanted. And I spoke that into existence."

Reese is naturally on a Barbie high and fully embraced that with her latest outfit on Friday night as the All-Star weekend commenced.

“A Barbie is in the house,” the WNBA wrote on social media.

As she returns to Chi City as an All-Star, Reese will suit up for Team Coop in Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game.

This is already the 24-year-old's third All-Star selection after averaging 15.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game during her first season with Atlanta.

While she was not selected as a starter, Reese joins fellow teammates Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray as a reserve in the league's showcase event.

So, do you think Angel Reese will make an impact both on and off the court this weekend? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Her Sports Nation!

Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy