Etan Thomas Compares Angel Reese to Little Rock Nine

Former NBA player Etan Thomas drew a parallel between Chicago Sky star Angel Reese and the Little Rock Nine, a group of African American students who integrated an all-white school in Arkansas after a landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision. He shared a photo on social media that depicted Reese alongside an iconic image of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine students, showing her bravery on her way to school.

“This is for Angel Reese after her LSU Tigers triumphed over Iowa in the National Championship Game during the 2023 NCAA Tournament,” Thomas noted in his post on X.

In a related note, the WNBA is currently looking into allegations of racial slurs aimed at Reese during a game last Saturday in Indianapolis. While details are scant, the league expressed its commitment to addressing any form of racism, stating, “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hatred, and discrimination in all forms. We are aware of the allegations and are investigating the issue.”

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) echoed these sentiments, confirming their support for the ongoing investigation. They described the reported comments as “unacceptable” and emphasized the need for a safe environment within the sport.

Interestingly, Reese and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark had an intense matchup during the game, but both players characterized it as “just basketball” and nothing beyond that. Despite the controversy, Reese’s confidence and performance have made her a prominent figure in the WNBA.

Having ended her rookie season, Reese garnered attention by finishing second in the WNBA Rookie of the Year voting while also winning the MVP award, wrapping up her first year with the Sky with impressive double-double averages.