Angel Reese said she has no problem being the bad boy of the WNBA, and it seems she has a similar view of the media.
Sky’s new star Reece accused the media of distorting her words in a short, controversial statement. Chicago Sun-Times interview.
“I know people are going to want to twist my words, so I just kept it short and concise,” Reiss told columnist Steve Greenberg when asked about her short answer that made the interview awkward.
“I don’t trust you all, so I’m just going to keep this short and sweet.”
Greenberg explained that rather than focusing on on-court stories, he wanted to interview Reese about his new job and all that it entails for the 22-year-old.
Reese is a polarizing figure in basketball circles, especially because she is viewed (fairly or unfairly) as the biggest rival to mega-popular player Caitlin Clark.
But Rees made it clear he wanted no part in the interview.
“It went so well that the word ‘disaster’ immediately came to mind,” Greenberg writes. “After a few questions, it became clear that one- or two-word answers were the norm. Reese would essentially ignore some questions with flippant ‘I’m fine,’ but something was amiss.”
Sky is known to be an unhelpful organisation for the media and staff tried to end the interview but Rees said “It’s OK” and staff cut it short.
Reese and Skye were fined earlier this year for failing to meet media obligations following the former Louisiana State national champions’ one-point loss to Clark and the Fever.
Rees gave no reason why he doesn’t trust the media, but recent comments about Clarke could be to blame.
Reese said the growth of women’s basketball “can’t just be down to one person,” citing himself as the reason for it, and suggested Clarke would receive a “special whistle” after the Sky’s recent loss to the Fever.
These comments exploded and further fuelled the Rees v Clark feud.
Whatever the reason, Greenberg pointed out that Reese has far more issues than the average rookie, and they’re weighing on her in ways the public might not realize.
Sky head coach Theresa Witherspoon suggested all of this is taking a toll on Reese.
“I think sometimes we don’t understand what our players are thinking,” Witherspoon told Greenberg. “What is she thinking? How is she feeling? I think sometimes we just don’t realize it, because every time she talks, it feels like there’s something wrong with what she’s saying. It feels like there’s something wrong with what she’s doing. It does. But it’s what we do here as a team that really matters.”
Witherspoon added: “She’s going to be OK. She’s going to be OK. I mean, she’s going to be OK.”
Reese is averaging 12.1 points and 10.2 rebounds for the 4-9 Sky.
