Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s dazzling rookie and former LSU superstar, has been a lightning rod for both admiration and vitriol since she burst onto the national stage. Known for her fierce competitiveness, relentless rebounding, and unapologetic swagger, Reese has carved out a space in the WNBA as a force to be reckoned with. But alongside her meteoric rise, she’s faced a barrage of racism and hate that’s as relentless as her presence in the paint. This article dives into the ugly underbelly of the backlash against Reese, her jaw-dropping stats, and the fiery quotes that prove she’s not here for the nonsense—delivered with a touch of humor to keep it real.

### The Backstory: A Star is Born, and the Haters Follow

Angel Reese’s journey to WNBA stardom began at LSU, where she led the Tigers to a 2023 NCAA Championship, outshining Iowa’s Caitlin Clark in a 102-85 victory. During that game, Reese famously waved her hand in front of her face—a nod to John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” gesture—and pointed to her ring finger, signaling her championship swagger. The move was bold, brash, and quintessentially Angel. But while Clark, had used the same gesture earlier in the tournament without backlash, Reese was vilified.

Former MSNBC journalist Keith Olbermann called her a “f—king idiot,” and CBS Sports’ Danny Kanell labeled her “classless.” A Los Angeles Times column even dubbed LSU players “dirty debutantes,” a phrase dripping with racial and gendered undertones (later edited with an apology for not meeting “standards”).

This double standard set the tone for what followed Reese into her WNBA career: a toxic mix of racism, sexism, and outright hostility, often amplified by media narratives and fanbases weaponizing her rivalry with Clark. As Reese herself put it on X in September 2024, “The media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative. They allowed this. This was beneficial to them… Y’all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started.” Oof, Angel, tell ‘em how you really feel!

### The Hate: Racism in the Stands and Online

The racism directed at Reese isn’t just a few bad apples—it’s a whole orchard. Since her NCAA days, she’s endured death threats, sexualization, and AI-generated deepfake pornography. In April 2024, after LSU’s Elite Eight loss to Iowa, Reese tearfully shared, “I’ve been attacked so many times, death threats. I’ve been sexualized. I’ve been threatened. I’ve been so many things, and I’ve stood strong every single time.” Her teammate Hailey Van Lith, who is white, called it out bluntly: “A lot of the people that are making those comments are being racist towards my teammates.”[NBC NEWS]

Fast forward to May 2025, when the WNBA launched an investigation into “hateful” and allegedly racial comments directed at Reese during a Chicago Sky loss to the Indiana Fever (93-58). Fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse reportedly booed Reese, with the hostility peaking after Clark’s flagrant foul on her in the third quarter. The WNBA’s statement was clear: “Racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms—they have no place in our league or in society.” The league’s “No Space for Hate” campaign, launched in 2025, aims to combat this toxicity with enhanced online monitoring, security measures, and mental health resources. But as Aces star A’ja Wilson quipped, “It’s nice in words, but we got to see actions.” Preach, A’ja—because words don’t block racial slurs.[NY TIMES]

Social media has been a cesspool of its own. X posts from 2024 highlight the barrage of slurs hurled at Reese, with one user, @Bullskickass, noting they received 60 racist tweets in just 13 hours over Reese-related content. Another post from @Quinthox lamented, “Angel Reese has been called a thug, she’s had her looks made fun of while at the same time been sexualized, and she’s had her statements purposely misinterpreted by sports commentators.” It’s like some fans and pundits are playing a twisted game of “How Many Ways Can We Hate a Black Woman for Being Great?”

In May 2025, a public feud erupted between former NFL players and sports analysts Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III (RGIII) over comments related to WNBA stars Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. The dispute began after a season-opening game on May 17, 2025, where Caitlin Clark committed a flagrant-1 foul on Angel Reese during the Indiana Fever’s 93-58 win over the Chicago Sky. RGIII posted on social media, claiming that Reese “hates” Caitlin Clark, citing her on-court actions and press conference behavior as evidence, framing it as more than a typical sports rivalry. He argued this was a sports opinion, supported by specific examples from the game.

Ryan Clark, an ESPN analyst, strongly criticized RGIII’s take on his podcast, “The Pivot,” calling it “irresponsible” and accusing RGIII of perpetuating a narrative that paints Reese as the villain in Clark’s story. Clark escalated the debate by making personal remarks, stating that RGIII, who is married to a white woman, Grete, could not understand the challenges Black women like Reese face, particularly in the context of Clark’s rise to stardom. Clark suggested RGIII’s household lacked conversations about these issues due to his interracial marriages.

RGIII responded on social media, calling Clark’s comments a personal attack on his family, stating, “There’s a line you don’t cross in life and Ryan Clark sprinted past it.” He defended his take as a sports opinion and criticized Clark for targeting his wife rather than engaging with the basketball analysis. The feud intensified as Clark’s remarks drew backlash for involving RGIII’s personal life, with some social media users accusing Clark of hypocrisy, noting his own biracial daughter.

On May 23, 2025, Clark issued a public apology on “The Pivot” and X, expressing regret for bringing RGIII’s wife into the conversation, acknowledging he crossed a boundary by making the debate personal. However, he stood by his broader point about the portrayal of Black women athletes. Stephen A. Smith, a colleague, commented on the issue, defending Clark against calls for his firing but advising him to avoid such personal remarks. Meanwhile, RGIII and his wife capitalized on the attention by promoting their fitness brand, with Grete sharing a positive response on Instagram.

The dispute, rooted in a basketball incident, spiraled into a broader conversation about race, personal boundaries, and sports media, drawing significant attention before Clark’s apology de-escalated the situation.

### The Stats: Reese’s Game Speaks Louder Than the Haters

Let’s pivot to what really matters: Reese’s on-court dominance. In her 2024 rookie season with the Chicago Sky, she averaged 13.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per game, making her a double-double machine. She broke WNBA icon Sylvia Fowles’ single-season rebound record (404) and set a rookie record for double-doubles, coming close to Alyssa Thomas’ mark of 28 in a season. Despite the Sky’s playoff push falling short, Reese was a standout, finishing second to Clark in Rookie of the Year voting. Her tenacity on the boards and defensive hustle are unmatched, proving she’s not just here to talk—she’s here to ball.

In college, Reese was just as unstoppable. As the 2023 Southern Conference Player of the Year, she powered LSU to the national title with a performance that left jaws on the floor. Her ability to dominate the paint and spark her team with infectious energy made her a fan favorite—well, for those who weren’t clutching their pearls over her confidence.

### The Quotes: Angel’s Unapologetic Fire

Reese’s response to the hate has been a masterclass in resilience and clapbacks. Here are some of her best zingers and truth bombs:

– On the WNBA’s investigation into fan racism (May 2025): “There’s no place in this league for that. They understand that this is the priority.” (Translation: Y’all better clean up your act, because Angel’s not playing.)[SOURCE]

– On enduring hate since the 2023 NCAA title: “All this has happened since I won the national championship. And it sucks, but I still wouldn’t change anything, and I would still sit here and say I’m unapologetically me.” (Iconic. She’s out here living rent-free in haters’ heads.)

– On media complicity (September 2024): “I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me but I’ve also allowed this to happen to me for way too long and now other players in this league are dealing with & experiencing the same things.” (She’s calling out the whole system, and we’re here for it.)

Her LSU teammate Flau’jae Johnson summed up Reese’s strength: “The crown she wears is heavy.” Heavy indeed, but Reese carries it with a strut that says, “I’m built for this.”

### The Bigger Picture: Colorblind Racism and Media Narratives

A 2025 study from Rice University examined the Reese-Clark rivalry through the lens of “colorblind racism,” a concept where racial bias hides behind coded language. The study noted that while Clark was praised as “competitive” for similar on-court antics, Reese was slammed as “classless.” Researcher Parsons remarked, “People may not always know academic terms like ‘colorblind racism,’ but they know injustice when they see it.” Social media, particularly X, has been a battleground where fans call out this hypocrisy in real time, proving that Reese’s supporters are as vocal as her detractors.

The media’s role in amplifying this divide can’t be ignored. Reese herself noted that the narrative pitting her against Clark has been a cash cow for outlets, even if it means villainizing her. It’s like they’re scripting a reality show where Reese is cast as the antagonist, and Clark, the golden girl. But as one X user, @TheVolumeSports, put it in 2023, “They hate her because she’s winning and being Black as f*** at the same time.” Mic drop.

### The Humor: Laughing Through the Noise

Let’s lighten the mood for a second, because if Angel can keep her chin up, so can we. The haters out here acting like Reese invented trash-talking, as if Michael Jordan didn’t talk shit while dropping 50. They’re mad she waved her hand like it’s a war crime, but when Clark does it, it’s “spirited.” Come on, now—pick a lane! It’s almost comical how predictable the double standard is. Reese could probably sneeze on the court, and someone would call it “unsportsmanlike.” Meanwhile, she’s out here snatching rebounds and breaking records like it’s just another Tuesday. The real crime? Not giving this woman her flowers for being a generational talent.

### The Path Forward: No Space for Hate

The WNBA’s “No Space for Hate” campaign is a step in the right direction, but as A’ja Wilson said, actions matter more than words. Reese’s ordeal underscores a broader issue: Black women in sports, from Serena Williams to Simone Biles, face disproportionate scrutiny for simply being themselves. Reese’s unapologetic attitude—her refusal to shrink—challenges a system that expects Black female athletes to be demure role models while white athletes get a pass for “passion.”

Reese’s story isn’t just about surviving hate; it’s about thriving despite it. She’s rewriting the narrative, one double-double at a time, and inspiring a generation of young Black girls to embrace their power. As she said, “I’m going to always leave that mark and be who I am and stand on that.” So, to the haters: Keep booing, because Angel Reese is too busy winning to care.

Featured image is credited to: Chicago Sky, Angel Reese | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images