Shocking: Angel Reese faces a wave of harsh criticism as the WNBA and fans openly express their outrage following her controversial statement: “Caitlin is favored because she’s white.”
The young star rising the WNBA, Angel Reese, finds herself at the center of an animated controversy after making a statement considered to be offensive concerning her rival Caitlin Clark. In a recent interview, Reese would have said:“Caitlin is favored because it is white”, words that immediately sparked a wave of indignant reactions from the league, media and basketball fans.
For several months, the rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark drew public attention. At the same time in the NCAA University championship, they were able to captivate the public by their talent, their competitiveness and their charisma. However, Reese’s declaration gave a more tense turn to this rivalry, causing a real media storm.
On social networks, the reactions have been rapid. While some support Reese by evoking a possible preferential media treatment in favor of Clark, others denounce discriminatory remarks, unacceptable in the world of professional sport. Hashtags like#RespectForAllPlayersor#Stopdividingusstarted to circulate massively on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
On the WNBA side, an official press release was published, stressing that the league “values inclusiveness, fairness and respect between all athletes, whatever their origins”. Management would even have summoned Angel Reese to discuss his remarks and consider disciplinary measures if necessary. The league tries to deactivate fire before harming more like the competition.
Several former WNBA players, as well as influential sports journalists, have also expressed their disappointment against the words of Reese. According to Lisa Leslie, the former star of Los Angeles Sparks, “it is essential that young players understand the power of their words. This kind of declaration is divided instead of uniting.”
Angel Reese, on the other hand, has not yet apologized, but has published an enigmatic message on Instagram:“Say the truth and you will become the bad guy”, which suggests that she camps in her position.
The situation once again raises the question of racial representation in the sports media and the perceptions of inequality. Although the discussion on equity and recognition of talents is legitimate, the words rendered in public must be measured, in particular in a context as made public as the WNBA.
It remains to be seen how Angel Reese will manage the rest of this controversy, and if this case will leave a lasting imprint on his career. One thing is certain: the debate is launched and the spotlights are more than ever on.
