**Angel Reese’s Complex Relationship with the Media and Her Impact on Women’s Basketball**
Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s dynamic forward and one of the most talked-about figures in women’s basketball, has become as well-known for her off-court persona as for her skill and tenacity on the hardwood. Since leading LSU to a national championship in 2023 and joining the WNBA, her career has unfolded under an intense media spotlight—one she finds both daunting and, at times, unfair. Through candid podcast episodes, press conferences, and high-profile controversies, Reese has opened up about her struggles with media scrutiny, her ambitions for her team, and the challenges she faces as a polarizing figure navigating the intersection of sports, fame, and social issues.
### Fear and Frustration: Reese’s Struggles with the Media
In a recent episode of her podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” Reese spoke openly about her anxiety surrounding media interactions. “Even before the game, I’m terrified of what the media is about to ask,” she admitted. Reese described a climate of mistrust, where even innocuous statements could be manipulated or taken out of context. “It could be the nicest question, but it’s going to get flipped or put into a different light or a different perspective,” she explained. Reese’s discomfort runs so deep that she sometimes considers skipping interviews altogether, despite the threat of league fines. “Seriously, I’d rather take the fine sometimes than talking to the media because it always gets flipped,” she said. “You could literally post ‘the sky is blue,’ and Angel said, ‘It’s too dark.’ Stuff like that, you know.”
Her apprehensions aren’t unfounded. Since her college days, Reese has often found herself at the center of media storms. The intense scrutiny began when she led LSU to victory over Iowa in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball national championship game. In a now-viral moment, Reese taunted Iowa’s Caitlin Clark by pointing to her ring finger—an act that ignited debates about sportsmanship, race, and gender in sports. That moment solidified her reputation as a lightning rod for both praise and criticism.
### A Controversial Leader: Calling for Change in Chicago
Reese’s outspokenness extends beyond personal matters. She has been unapologetically honest about her expectations for her team and organization. During the 2025 WNBA season, after the Sky finished with a disappointing 10-34 record, Reese didn’t hold back in a conversation with the Chicago Tribune. “I’m not settling for the same s--- we did this year,” she said. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best… So, it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.”
She also made clear her willingness to move on if the team’s direction didn’t match her ambitions: “I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me.” These remarks, while resonating with some fans who admired her drive, drew criticism for seemingly throwing her current teammates under the bus.
Recognizing the backlash, Reese later apologized. In a subsequent press conference, she clarified her intentions: “I really didn’t intentionally mean to put down my teammates because they’ve been through this with me throughout the whole year. They’ve busted their ass, just like I’ve busted my ass. They’ve showed up for me through thick and thin and in the locker room when nobody could see anything.” She attributed the controversy partly to the way her words were reported, saying the “language is taken out of context.” Reese acknowledged that, as a prominent figure, her statements carry weight and can be misinterpreted: “I just have to be better with my language. Because I know it’s not the message, it’s the messenger. And understanding what I say can be taken any kind of way. So, I just have to really be better and grow from this.”
Despite her apology, the Sky suspended Reese for the first half of a subsequent game, citing “statements detrimental to the team.” The episode highlighted the delicate balance