RANDALLSTOWN, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and the Department of Recreation and Parks on Monday celebrated the dedication of the newly-renovated basketball court at the Scotts Branch Recreation Activity Center (RAC), honoring NCAA Champion and Randallstown hometown hero, Angel Reese.

The court, now known as “Angel Reese Court” is part of an ongoing effort to modernize aging equipment at every County-managed outdoor basketball court in Baltimore County.

“Angel Reese’s tenacity, leadership, and commitment to her team have led to incredible – and well deserved – accomplishments, and we couldn’t be more proud that she is from Baltimore County,” said County Executive Olszewski. “The new Angel Reese Court is sure to serve as inspiration and motivation for young athletes for years to come.”

Reese, a rapidly rising star in the world of basketball, has captured the hearts of Baltimore-area residents with her incredible skills and inspiring journey. A Randallstown native, she honed her talents and cultivated her love for basketball, playing with EDRECO and Deer Park basketball teams, even spending time playing on the Scotts Branch RAC court.

Reese’s unwavering determination and remarkable talent have earned her a reputation as one of the nation’s most formidable basketball players and propelled her to extraordinary milestones, including helping Louisiana State University (LSU) win the 2023 NCAA Women’s Championship—LSU’s first national championship—while being named Most Outstanding Player and setting the NCAA single-season record with 34 double-doubles in the process.

Her exceptional leadership, versatility and unmatched work ethic have made her a force to be reckoned with on the court, where she has also earned unanimous first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC, and SEC All-Defensive Team honors. Off the court, Reese continues to lead and use her platform to inspire change, most recently launching the Angel C. Reese Foundation dedicated to empowering young women and the next generation through sports, education, financial literacy, and more.

“Seeing my name on a basketball court in my hometown – a court where I played as a child – is a full circle moment,” said Reese. “I hope this court empowers young athletes of all backgrounds and serves as a reminder that hard work, determination and staying true to yourself are what it takes to create success on the court and beyond.”

The renovations to the Scott Branch RAC basketball court celebrated today is part of efforts from County officials to replace outdated equipment — some put in place more than 40 years ago — with new poles, backboards, and rims at 168 county-managed basketball courts and 10 Recreation Activity Center (RAC) sites, formerly known as PAL Centers. The Angel Reese Court at Scotts Branch recently received replacement fencing and a new gate surrounding the outdoor court, as well as the installation of new poles, 36×36 inch rectangle acrylic backboards, breakaway rims and nets.

Supported by the allocation of approximately $500,000 in federal ARPA funds, Baltimore County’s basketball system replacement projects are aligned with the County’s commitment to modernizing recreational amenities and enhancing aging infrastructure, all with the aim of guaranteeing the well-being of each community.

“We are thrilled and excited to dedicate this court in honor of Angel Reese,” said Recreation and Parks Director Bob Smith. “Miss Reese’s incredible work ethic, tenacity, teamwork and leadership have served as an inspiration to numerous players, and we are honored to have the opportunity to recognize her outstanding talents and accomplishments. We firmly believe that this court will serve as a source of inspiration for the next generation of players, motivating them to follow in her footsteps.”

The basketball system replacement project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2023.