Cate Reese

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Cate Reese

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| number = 25

| position = Forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lb =

| league = Belgian Women's Basketball League
EuroCup Women

| team = Kangoeroes Mechelen

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|11|5}}

| birth_place =

| nationality = American

| high_school = Cypress Woods
(Cypress, Texas)

| college = Arizona (2018–2023)

| draft_league = WNBA

| draft_year = 2023

| career_start = 2023

| career_end =

| years1 = 2023

| team1 = Gold Coast Rollers

| years2 = 2023–present

| team2 = Kangoeroes Mechelen

| highlights =

WNIT champion (2019)
4× All-Pac-12 Team (2020–2023)
Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2019)
McDonald's All-American (2018)

}}

Catherine Reese (born November 5, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for Kangoeroes Mechelen of the Belgian Women's Basketball League. She played college basketball for the Arizona Wildcats. A four-time All-Pac-12 selection, Reese helped the Wildcats advance to the national championship game as a junior and win the Women's National Invitational Tournament as a freshman. She attended Cypress Woods High School in Cypress, Texas, where she was rated a five-star recruit by ESPN and named a McDonald's All-American, and joined Arizona as the highest-rated recruit in program history.

Early life and high school career

Catherine Reese was born prematurely and was kept in an intensive care unit for three weeks because her lungs were not developed enough. She began playing basketball at age seven. Reese attended Cypress Woods High School in Cypress, Texas and became a starter in her freshman season in 2014 under coach Virginia Flores.{{cite web |last1=Villa |first1=Walter |title=With a motor and a mentor, elite basketball recruit Cate Reese moves forward with diabetes |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/story/_/id/19255734/women-basketball-recruit-cate-reese-diagnosed-diabetes-motor-mentor |publisher=ESPN |access-date=January 11, 2022 |date=April 27, 2017}} As a freshman, she averaged 12.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game,{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=Kevin |title=Cy Woods' Cate Reese is rarely outplayed, never outworked |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/cyfair/sports/article/Cy-Woods-Cate-Reese-is-rarely-outplayed-never-10886483.php |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=January 26, 2017}} helping her team win the Class 6A state title, its first state championship.{{cite web |last1=Verdejo Jr. |first1=Angel |title=Cy Woods wins 6A girls basketball title |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/highschool/article/Cy-Woods-wins-6A-title-6121862.php |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=March 7, 2015}} In her sophomore season, Reese averaged 20.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, and was named District 17-6A Most Valuable Player (MVP).{{cite web |last1=McDaniel |first1=Jason |title=Reese tops list in District 17-6A |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/cyfair/sports/article/Reese-tops-list-in-District-17-6A-6863751.php |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=March 1, 2016}} That year, she joined the Texas Elite Amateur Athletic Union program. As a junior, she averaged 22.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. In her senior season, Reese averaged 30.6 points and 15.3 rebounds per game, earning District 17-6A MVP honors. She competed in the McDonald's All-American Game, where she recorded eight points and five rebounds.{{cite web |last1=Kelapire |first1=Ryan |title=Arizona’s Cate Reese shines in McDonald’s All-American game |url=https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2018/3/28/17174758/cate-reese-arizona-mcdonalds-all-american-game-basketball-recruiting-2018-signing-class-wildcats |publisher=Arizona Desert Swarm |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=March 28, 2018}} She left as a three-time Class 6A all-state selection by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches,{{cite web |title=Cate Reese – Women's Basketball |url=https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/cate-reese/12934 |publisher=University of Arizona Athletics |access-date=January 12, 2022}} and as Cypress Woods' all-time leader in points and rebounds.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=PJ |title=UA women's five-star Cate Reese hits the court for McDonald’s All-American Game |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/ua-womens-five-star-cate-reese-hits-the-court-for-mcdonald-s-all-american-game/article_303bb989-8c92-511d-bc88-e22dd4703fa6.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=March 27, 2018}}

=Recruiting=

Reese was considered a five-star recruit and the number 12 player in the 2018 class by ESPN.{{cite web |title=Catherine Reese 2018 High School Girls' Basketball Profile |url=http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/212424 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=January 12, 2022}} She announced her commitment to play college basketball for Arizona over scholarship offers from Baylor and South Carolina, among other NCAA Division I programs.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=PJ |title=Arizona Wildcats women's basketball team lands No. 12 recruit in country |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/arizona-wildcats-womens-basketball-team-lands-no-12-recruit-in-country/article_a00fd126-b2da-5724-a3e7-4fb714970e3c.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=June 5, 2017}} Reese became the highest-ranked recruit in Arizona history.{{cite web |last1=Kelapire |first1=Ryan |title=Arizona women’s basketball recruiting: Wildcats land 5-star forward Cate Reese |url=https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2017/6/4/15738582/arizona-womens-basketball-recruiting-wildcats-land-5-star-forward-cate-reese-rankings-adia-barnes |publisher=Arizona Desert Swarm |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=June 4, 2017}} She was drawn to the program due to her trust in head coach Adia Barnes and because her sister, Ali, would attend the school.

College career

In her freshman season at Arizona, Reese developed a reputation for her toughness and competitiveness, which helped her succeed despite being undersized for her position.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=PJ |title=Cate Reese's evolution responsible for making Arizona a contender |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/cate-reeses-evolution-responsible-for-making-arizona-a-contender/article_b4eecfd6-c7db-50f8-95f1-0a7c8040c321.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=January 22, 2022 |date=March 30, 2019}} On November 9, 2018, she made her debut, recording a season-high 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 71–46 win against Idaho State.{{cite web |title=Arizona Opens Season with 71-46 Win Over Idaho State |url=https://arizonawildcats.com/news/2018/11/9/womens-basketball-idaho-state-recap.aspx |publisher=University of Arizona Athletics |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=November 9, 2018}} Reese would score 21 points two more times that season. On December 5, she posted 20 points and 18 rebounds in a 100–51 victory over Montana. Reese grabbed the most rebounds in a game by an Arizona freshman since Shawntinice Polk in 2002.{{cite web |title=Cats Score 100, Take Down Montana on School Day |url=https://arizonawildcats.com/news/2018/12/5/womens-basketball-montana-recap.aspx |publisher=University of Arizona Athletics |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=December 5, 2018}} She helped her team win the 2019 Women's National Invitation Tournament and was named to the all-tournament team.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=PJ |title=Here's what we learned during Arizona's spirited run to the WNIT championship |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/heres-what-we-learned-during-arizonas-spirited-run-to-the-wnit-championship/article_b93012ef-82a1-5ea3-b0a9-4eeefca16c0f.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=April 16, 2019}} As a freshman, Reese averaged 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, leading all Pac-12 freshmen in both categories, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.{{cite web |last1=Yapkowitz |first1=David |title=Cate Reese’s upward climb with Arizona |url=https://highposthoops.com/2020/03/13/march-madness-simulation-ncaa-tournament-2020-explained/ |publisher=High Post Hoops |access-date=January 22, 2022 |date=March 14, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=PJ |title=Cate Reese's desire to be great fuels her on, off court |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/cate-reeses-desire-to-be-great-fuels-her-on-off-court/article_d5a342e2-0736-11eb-ba35-27d8fe9c3c6c.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=October 5, 2020}}

Reese became a more versatile player in her sophomore season and particularly improved her three-point shooting. At the 2020 Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals, she recorded a season-high 30 points and six rebounds in an 86–73 win over California.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=PJ |title=Cate Reese pours in 30 points as Arizona Wildcats get some revenge on Cal |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/cate-reese-pours-in-30-points-as-arizona-wildcats-get-some-revenge-on-cal/article_abda5ba5-80a9-5b1e-b61e-1720e27570f8.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=March 6, 2020}} As a sophomore, Reese averaged 13.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and received All-Pac-12 recognition.{{cite web |last1=Savell |first1=Jim |title=NCAAW Season Recap: No. 7 Arizona Wildcats were one of the best this year |url=https://www.swishappeal.com/ncaa/2020/5/17/21261390/ncaa-womens-basketball-arizona-wildcats-aari-mcdonald-cate-reese-dominique-mcbryde-aari-carter |publisher=Swish Appeal |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=May 17, 2020}} On December 6, 2020, she scored a junior season-high 25 points in a 78–77 victory against USC.{{cite web |title=McDonald, Reese and Ware fuel Arizona’s comeback win vs. USC |url=https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2020/12/6/22157389/arizona-women-basketball-usc-recap-final-score-southern-cal-troy-trojans-reese-pili-mcdonald |publisher=Arizona Desert Swarm |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=December 6, 2020}} On February 8, 2021, Reese scored 25 points again and shot 11-of-14 from the field in a 79–59 win over Oregon.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=PJ |title=Arizona forward Cate Reese took Oregon's slights personally, then scored 25 points in a Wildcats win |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/arizona-forward-cate-reese-took-oregons-slights-personally-then-scored-25-points-in-a-wildcats/article_c4f9a1c0-cf6a-5a06-85bd-c9d484fc54b0.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=February 9, 2021}} She helped Arizona reach its first national championship game. As a junior, Reese averaged 10.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, making the All-Pac-12 Team for a second straight season.{{cite web |last1=Spears |first1=Justin |title=Arizona's Sam Thomas, Cate Reese named to preseason All-Pac-12 team |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/arizonas-sam-thomas-cate-reese-named-to-preseason-all-pac-12-team/article_0cc77158-3cc9-11ec-b083-37689f2fad3f.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=November 3, 2021}} As a senior, she became Arizona's offensive leader with the departure of Aari McDonald.{{cite web |last1=Lindberg |first1=Kenny |title=Faced with Adversity, Arizona Women’s Basketball looks to Bounce Back |url=https://zonazealots.com/2022/01/17/faced-with-adversity-arizona-womens-basketball-looks-to-bounce-back/ |publisher=Zona Zealots |access-date=January 22, 2022 |date=January 17, 2022}} On January 9, 2022, Reese scored a season-high 29 points in a 76–67 loss to USC.{{cite web |title=Fourth-ranked Wildcats suffer first loss of season at USC; Cate Reese scores 29 |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/fourth-ranked-wildcats-suffer-first-loss-of-season-at-usc-cate-reese-scores-29/article_09c369c0-717c-11ec-9590-1bf8ebf97c9c.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=May 14, 2022 |date=January 10, 2022}} She dislocated her shoulder against Washington State on February 20.{{cite web |last1=Frank |first1=Caden |title=Cate Reese dislocates shoulder as No. 8 Wildcats lose in Palouse |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/cate-reese-dislocates-shoulder-as-no-8-wildcats-lose-in-palouse/article_e846621e-9225-11ec-883c-7776e6d9e767.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=May 14, 2022 |date=February 20, 2022}} Reese returned on March 19 for the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament, wearing a shoulder brace, and scored 16 points in a 72–67 win over UNLV.{{cite web |last1=Fish |first1=Ryan |title=Pellington, Reese power Arizona past UNLV in NCAA First Round |url=https://www.kgun9.com/sports/local-sports/pellington-reese-power-arizona-past-unlv-in-ncaa-first-round |publisher=KGUN-TV |access-date=May 14, 2022 |date=March 20, 2022}} She averaged 14.3 points and six rebounds per game, leading her team in both categories, and earned her third straight All-Pac-12 selection. After the season, Reese underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum and torn tendons from her shoulder dislocation.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=PJ |title=Wildcats basketball star Cate Reese rehabbing shoulder after 'pretty traumatizing' injury, surgery |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/wildcats-basketball-star-cate-reese-rehabbing-shoulder-after-pretty-traumatizing-injury-surgery/article_cea5a8c2-c4db-11ec-86b3-d7c1393937b0.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |access-date=May 14, 2022 |date=April 26, 2022}} She opted to return to Arizona for a fifth season of eligibility, granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |title=Arizona forward Cate Reese to return for her super senior season in 2022-23 |url=https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2021/10/1/22705119/arizona-women-basketball-forward-cate-reese-play-super-senior-season |publisher=Arizona Desert Swarm |access-date=May 14, 2022 |date=October 1, 2021}} On February 5, 2023, Reese scored a career-high 33 points in an 81–75 double-overtime win over USC.{{cite web |title=Cate Reese scores career-high 33 as Cats finish off LA sweep |url=https://tucson.com/sports/arizonawildcats/basketball/cate-reese-scores-career-high-33-as-cats-finish-off-la-sweep/article_fc4b8dda-a583-11ed-87b7-fffa4e37a328.html |website=Arizona Daily Star |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=March 21, 2023 |date=February 5, 2023}} As a fifth-year player, she averaged 13.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, becoming the second four-time All-Pac-12 selection in program history.{{cite web |last1=Morales |first1=Javier |title=Cate Reese four-time All-Pac-12 selection; Shaina Pellington co-Most Improved Player |url=http://allsportstucson.com/2023/02/28/cate-reese-four-time-all-pac-12-selection-shaina-pellington-co-most-improved-player/ |publisher=All Sports Tucson |access-date=March 21, 2023 |date=February 28, 2023}}

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2023 WNBA draft, Reese signed with the Gold Coast Rollers of the NBL1 North in Australia.{{cite web |title=Former Arizona star Cate Reese signs with Gold Coast Rollers in Australian NBL1 |url=https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2023/4/23/23694834/arizona-womens-basketball-former-wildcats-cate-reese |publisher=Arizona Desert Swarm |access-date=October 21, 2023 |date=April 23, 2023}} She averaged 22.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in 11 appearances. On July 2, 2023, she signed with Kangoeroes Mechelen of the Belgian Women's Basketball League.{{cite web |last1=Buyse |first1=Peter |title=Cate Reese (ex Gold Coast R.) agreed terms with Kangoeroes |url=https://www.australiabasket.com/Australia/news/816923/Cate-Reese-(ex-Gold-Coast-R.)-agreed-terms-with-Kangoeroes?Women=1 |publisher=Australia Basket |access-date=October 21, 2023 |date=July 2, 2023}}