Angel Reese, along with Caitlin Clark, want to get the recognition they deserve for the growing popularity of women’s basketball, and they have no plans to stop fighting for it.
The Chicago Sky star made clear how he felt about it, two days after the controversy was reignited when teammate Chennedy Carter delivered harsh criticism of Clark during Chicago’s loss to Indiana on Saturday.
“I’m going to go down in history as someone who looks back 20 years from now and thinks, ‘Yes, we’re not just watching women’s basketball for one person, we’re watching it for me, and I want people to understand that.'”
For Reese, sparking fan interest dates back to the LSU-Iowa national championship game two years ago, when she threw John Cena’s “Can’t you see me” hand gesture at Clark, cementing a rivalry that continues into last season and into the current WNBA.
This year, Iowa ended LSU’s season in the Elite Eight and drew record television ratings.
Reese became just as well-known as Clark and garnered plenty of attention during his senior season, including a bizarre benching.
“It all started with the national championship game and I’ve been dealing with this for two years now,” Reese said. “Sure, there may be negative things being said about me, but honestly, I’m willing to take it because you just look at where women’s basketball is right now.”
“People who never thought they’d talk about women’s basketball are talking about women’s basketball. People are coming to the games. Celebrities are coming to the games and arenas are selling out just for one game.”
Reese, who appeared to cheer Carter on from the bench after the egregious foul on Clark, made it clear he wouldn’t mind taking on such a role if it would help draw attention to the game.
The foul sparked a debate about what the WNBA should do to better protect Clarke, or whether the Fever should find an “enforcer” to help her.
Still, Reese believes she and other players are garnering attention, as well as Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and a potential No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Pat McAfee came under fire at ESPN for calling Clark a “white bitch” during a segment on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, which featured several indicators that the Fever star is at least a high-profile mainstay in the WNBA.
“A lot of us have done a lot for this game,” Reese said. “Chennedy’s been here before, but there are a lot of great players in this league who really deserve this award, or have deserved this award for a really long time.”
