Angel Reese has been one of the most polarizing names in basketball since winning the NCAA title with LSU. But behind the headlines and viral moments is a 23-year-old adjusting to sudden fame, harsh criticism, and the mental toll that comes with it. Speaking candidly this week, Reese opened up about the hate she’s endured online, how it changed her life, and the emotional growth she’s experienced during her tenure with the Chicago Sky.
“After I won the National Championship, my whole life changed. And that was the first time I had seen negativity like that on social media,” said Reese on SportsCenter. “I thought I had a huge following before, but I had to change my whole lifestyle. It doesn’t bother me as much anymore, just because I feel like I’ve built a thicker skin. But not everybody has a thick skin, and that’s why I think a lot of players always come up and ask me, ‘Are you okay, how are you doing?’ and they do a check-in with me. I don’t know what’s genuine, but I’m starting to open up and branch out a little bit. This is like the closest I’ve been to these players this year. Last year, I wasn’t that close. When I was in Phoenix, I was very quiet; I didn’t talk to anybody. And that’s what I really love about this league—having sisters who care about me and knowing I can take that support and pour it back into the community. There’s a lot of cyberbullying going on, and not everybody’s as strong as I am, so I thought, why not flip a negative into a positive and give back?”
Reese is just 21 games into her sophomore season, but she’s already become one of the WNBA’s most polarizing players. On the court, she plays with an admirable level of passion and tenacity that elevates her impact. In 55 games so far, she’s averaging 13.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game on 41.1% shooting. She’s already a 2x All-Star and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting.
Reese has been preparing for this stage her entire life, but the transition hasn’t been easy. During her championship run with LSU in 2023, she experienced the dark side of social media for the first time, and it gave her a new perspective on life under the spotlight. As she went viral for her bold statements, aggressive play, and never-ending trash talk, the critics came together to bash and discredit her character.
As the basketball star joined the WNBA and rose to prominence in the pros, the hate only got worse as critics continued to pile on, attacking her game and questioning her competitive fire. Through it all, she remained focused on the mission thanks to her colleagues and a community of women dedicated to protecting each other. Even during the times when she loses control, it never becomes a bigger problem in the locker room.
In truth, Angel Reese is still just getting started, but she’s already using her platform to speak up for those who can’t. Her journey—from college sensation to WNBA star—hasn’t been without turbulence, but it’s made her stronger, more connected, and more committed to leading with purpose. In a league built on unity and empowerment, she’s finding her voice—and helping others find theirs too.
