Angel Reese: The Resilient Superstar Redefining the WNBA Narrative
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have one of the most talked-about rivalries in sports today. Their competitive fire started during their college days at LSU and Iowa, respectively, and has only grown fiercer in the WNBA. While the media often portrays Reese as the antagonist and Clark as the golden child, the reality is much more complex and, in my opinion, the furthest thing from the truth.
According to Clark herself, there is no rivalry; she stated they are simply there to play basketball. However, the media cannot seem to help themselves as they highlight what seems to be every negative thing Reese does, especially when playing against Clark. Some headlines in the media have called Angel Reese "Clark's tormentor." For the past few months, the media has been in an uproar about Clark being targeted, bullied, and suffering physical abuse from the women in the WNBA, including Angel Reese. In my opinion, anyone who has ever watched a WNBA game would understand the level of physicality. They would know that Clark is not being targeted, and Reese has also been struck to the ground by WNBA players, most recently Alyssa Thomas, who was ejected from the game after a hard foul that included having her arms tied around Reese’s neck. There was no outrage for that situation at all. However, when Angel Reese's teammate Chennedy Carter hip-checked Caitlin Clark in a game, the entire world, including mainstream media, called for action to bring these players to the forefront for a public hanging. The media went as far as highlighting Reese skipping the press conference and being fined for doing so. Every time Reese gets a technical, it makes the front page of sports news. However, when WNBA star Diana Taurasi gets a technical foul, there is no conversation on "First Take" or ESPN about it.
Reese's story in the media has often been an unfair one. From former to current athletes showing support to Caitlin Clark, such as LeBron James and Charles Barkley, to analysts like Stephen A. Smith suggesting jealousy among WNBA players toward Clark, the media storm has racial undertones. The media has even gone as far as asking Serena Williams to offer support to Caitlin Clark, which she did by citing she was experiencing bullying while completely ignoring the racial undertone of what Williams experienced herself, which aligns more with Angel Reese than Clark. For instance, Reese's mimicking gestures during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship were criticized, while Clark's exact gestures were overlooked, highlighting the double standards at play. Clark’s fans have sealed millions of inappropriate stereotypes and racial slurs against Angel Reese and almost any Black woman who offers public support of her. She’s been called "trash out of LSU," "classless," a "thug," "monkey," and other extremely hurtful terms towards her and Black people in general. Despite the negative portrayal, Angel Reese has emerged as a beacon of resilience.
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This season, Angel Reese has been a powerhouse, achieving eight consecutive double-doubles, averaging 15.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Her standout performance against Caitlin Clark in their latest WNBA showdown was impressive, with Reese scoring 25 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, breaking WNBA rookie history. The last time this was done, it was by two-time MVP and All-Star A’ja Wilson. Despite the intense rivalry and media scrutiny, Reese continues to shine both on and off the court.
In addition to her on-court achievements, Reese's jersey has been sold out for two months, underscoring her popularity and impact in the WNBA, especially after she was recently criticized for speaking out in the media stating people are showing up to watch her too. This statement was made after analysts like Stephen A. Smith and multiple mainstream headlines read that Caitlin Clark was the sole reason for the spike in WNBA viewership. However, several teams have sold out their home game tickets, and this again could not be further from the truth. In my opinion, a lot of people are watching Caitlin Clark, but a lot of people are watching this particular draft class in general, and Angel Reese is one of the biggest stars in women’s basketball that we have seen over the last 28 years of its inception.
Off the court, Reese recently launched the Angel C. Reese Foundation, focusing on empowering girls and women through sports, education, and financial literacy. The foundation offers basketball camps, scholarship initiatives, and community programs, striving to create equal opportunities.
Angel Reese's resilience and dedication are gradually changing public perception. She's not defined by the media's narrative but by her actions and achievements. Her community engagement, including advocating for the protection of young women in sports, has won over critics and endeared her to fans.
Congratulations, Angel Reese, this is just the beginning for success for you!
