Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is one of the most prominent names in the WNBA. After an incident in which she slapped away her coach’s clipboard during a recent game against the Washington Mystics, the forward showed no remorse for her actions. While reacting to the video displaying her antics, Reese responded on X by tweeting:
“Those **** were pissing me off. Shoutout to Ann because she knows it was the heat of the moment, and she didn’t let me apologize because she knew! Not happening again though.”
The Sky have struggled this season. Following a 79-81 loss to the Mystics, the Chicago team has fallen to a 5-13 record, placing them 12th in the league and fifth in the Eastern Conference.
The coach in question was identified as Ann Crosby, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Strength and Conditioning. Reese’s outburst may have been a byproduct of the team’s poor performances this season, but it isn’t necessarily a valid justification for it.
Angel Reese slaps the clipboard out of her coach’s hand. 😳
(via @ShowCaseShabazz, @TheHoopCentral) pic.twitter.com/SxoOVTvzgj
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 8, 2025
Coming off a performance of 22 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists, Reese displayed all the best attributes of her game. But her actions towards her coach did little to benefit her public image.
As an example for younger players who idolize professional athletes, the Sky forward is expected to carry herself with more dignity, especially towards teammates. As individually talented as Reese is, her actions would not be considered acceptable behavior for a star, especially when directed towards someone on the same team.
Reese’s reputation has certainly taken a hit after this incident, especially with fans on social media expressing their views on the topic. But aggressive behavior of this nature doesn’t appear to be an outlier for the 23-year-old forward.
Earlier in March, Reese was seen engaging in a verbal altercation with some players on the Connecticut Sun after she had her hair pulled while securing a rebound. While the reaction is understandable given the circumstances, the situation reached a flashpoint, and the forward seemed prepared to react to further escalation.
Angel Reese would benefit from being more cognizant of her position and influence as an athlete. Considering that she is often named alongside Caitlin Clark as the future of the WNBA, the forward carries an important responsibility on her shoulders.
Although the Sky haven’t been as successful this season, Reese has been quite dominant. With an average of 13.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, Reese has established herself as one of the best young players in the league. As an inspiration to a new generation of players, it is important to be mindful of the consequences, especially in the social media era.
