David BridgesAngel Reese is making it clear what she believes her impact has been on the WNBA while speaking about taking the “bad guy” role in the sport.
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Angel Reese Gets Candid About Her Impact & “Bad Guy” Role In The WNBA
According to WGN-TV, Reese spoke to reporters on Monday, June 3. During her appearance, the 22-year-old addressed the “negative things” that have been said about her in the media.
“It all started from the National Championship game, and I’ve been dealing with this for two years now, and understanding, yeah, negative things have probably been said about me, but honestly, I’ll take that ’cause look at where women’s basketball is,” Reese said.
As Reese continued, the WNBA rookie shared her opinion on her impact on women’s basketball. Additionally, Reese declared that she’ll take the “bad guy” role in the sport. However, the 22-year-old made it clear that there isn’t just one superstar in the sport.
“People are talking about women’s basketball that you never would think would talk about women’s basketball,” she said. “People are pulling up to games — celebrities are coming to games, sold-out arenas, just because of one single game. Just looking at that, I’ll take that role. I’ll take the bad guy role, and I’ll continue to take that on and be that for my teammates… And I know I’ll go down in history. I’ll look back in 20 years and be like, ‘Yeah, the reason we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person, it’s because of me too,’ and I want y’all to realize that.”
According to the outlet, Reese also acknowledged that “a lot” of “great” women players have “done so much for this game.”
“There are so many great players in this league that have deserved this for a really, really long time. Luckily, it’s coming now,” she concluded.
Social Media Weighs In
Social media users reacted to Reese’s statements in The Shade Room’s comment section.
Instagram user @skyboujee wrote, “Hate her or love her… she’s 100% correct”
While Instagram user @tonybaker added, “I know of Clark because of Angel and that hand wave. I know both of them because of that moment.”
Instagram user @andre_crouchjr wrote, “Angel Reese ain’t no bad guy lol I love angel Reese ! Anyone that doesn’t is tripping!”
While Instagram user @keim_israre added, “Idk man….I love when she pop her sh*t 🤷🏾♂️ ….because people be hating and acting like she’s not already cemented a Legend when it comes to women’s basketball.”
Instagram user @ressssie wrote, “Protect Angel Reese at all costs!!!”
While Instagram user @diamonds_and_paris added, “Let’s be clear!!! When Angel blocked that shot with one shoe on… that’s when the volume of viewers increased to woman’s basketball in general… don’t get it twisted, CC is one hell of a player but she is definitely not the sole reason Woman’s basketball is getting attention… Angel definitely contributed to the shift!!! She brings the competitive edge and excitement the WNBA nead”
Instagram user @hopezuri wrote, “She ain’t lying. I didn’t know about either one of em until the altercation on the court.”
While Instagram user @mzbritt__ added, “When Angel waved her hand in CC face that’s when everyone tuned in. Before that more than half of these people didn’t know who either one of these girls were because they were not watching women’s college basketball. The media blew up drama and yall tuned in.”
A Brief Recap Of Angel Reese’s Road To The WNBA
As The Shade Room previously reported, Angel Reese initially made headlines in April 2023. At the time, her former collegiate team, the Louisiana State Tigers, faced off against the Iowa Hawkeyes at an NAACP title game.
Additionally, Reese went viral after throwing up John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture to opposite player Caitlin Clark. To note, Clark also used the hand gesture in prior games toward other players.
Despite both players using the gesture, Reese received widespread criticism, which she addressed after the Tigers’ victory.
“The narrative — I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit into the box that y’all want me to be in. ‘I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto.’ Y’all told me that all year. But, when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing,” she explained.
“I don’t fit in the box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto, y’all told me that all year. When other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing. This was for the people that look like me.” – Angel Reese ❤️👑
— WSLAM (@wslam) April 3, 2023
According to the New York Post, Reese and Clark’s “rivalry” appears to have continued from their collegiate careers into their recent draft into the WNBA.
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In April, Reese was drafted into the Chicago Sky team, while Clark joined the Indiana Fever. Since then, the pair have continued to make headlines with their WNBA entrance. Most recently, Clark made headlines after alleging that she was “getting hammered” on the court and that “everyone” was getting “physical” with her, per The Shade Room.
Shortly after, Reese’s fellow Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter shoulder-checked Clark, committing a hard foul on her during a recent game.
During the post-game press meeting, Charter reacted to the incident by saying she didn’t want to speak on Clark.
Meanwhile, Reese caught heat for not being present at the meeting, and she was fined $1,000 while her team was hit with a $5,000 violation.
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