Angel Reese was not taking a shot at fellow WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark with a controversial social media post, her mother is insisting in a post of her own.
Reese’s Chicago Sky were coming off last week’s impressive win over the New York Liberty when the former LSU power forward appeared to direct a social media message at Clark, the Indiana Fever rookie being credited with attracting waves of new fans to the WNBA.
‘And that’s on getting a WIN in a packed [arena] not just ’cause of one player on our charter flight,’ she wrote in a since-deleted post on X.
Reese has repeatedly stated that the WNBA’s newfound popularity is due to more than just Clark, the former Iowa star whom she battled in a pair of memorable NCAA Tournament games over the last two seasons.
The comment ignited controversy, but according to Reese’s mother, Angel Webb Reese, the criticism from the media is misguided. What’s more, the reporting on the since-deleted post has attracted racist comments online, the elder Reese revealed.
Angel Reese (near left, near right) was not taking a shot at fellow WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark (far right) with a controversial social media post, her mom (far left) insisted in a post of her own
‘She was not attacking [Clark] but bc you & the rest of those ”children of the corn” folks thought she was & once again sending her racist & vile comment,’ the post began. ‘Her comment was directed towards the media but of course you’re about clicks.’
Reese’s mother played college basketball at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) before ultimately being inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.
The WNBA is drawing some of its largest audiences ever this season, thanks in part to a rookie class that includes Clark, Reese, Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink, and Reese’s Chicago Sky teammate, Kamilla Cardoso.
With increased ratings and revenue, WNBA teams are finally traveling on charter flights after suffering with commercial travel in previous seasons.
Clark’s Fever took the league’s first ever charter flight earlier this month, and since May 21, every WNBA team has been traveling on charters.
Many assumed Reese was targeting Clark with her since-deleted social media post
According to Reese’s mother, Angel’s comment was actually directed at the media
The WNBA enjoyed a 14-percent ratings boost in its first week as more than 17,000 fans attended New York and Indiana’s respective home openers, while 19,000 fans packed Crypto.com Arena for Friday’s game against the visiting Fever.
But for all of the league’s success, Clark and her fellow WNBA stars have been faced with newfound media scrutiny, which has drawn the attention of the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces coach, Becky Hammon, and star player, A’Ja Wilson.
‘I think this narrative of ”everybody hating on Caitlin Clark,” and even the black and white thing – knock it off,’ Hammon told reporters on Friday. ‘It’s not there. So shut down the noise.’
‘We love Caitlin Clark,’ she emphasized, seemingly annoyed at the assumption of the contrary. ‘I think she’s amazing. I watch every time I possibly could.’
‘And our league loves her. We’re just doing our job,’ Hammon added about the competition. ‘Whoever’s on the other team is on the other team, and we’ll do us.’
After brushing off the speculations, Hammon stressed how Clark has a lot of weight on her young shoulders as she quickly became the face of women’s basketball.
Following her first WNBA win against the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, Clark admitted that she is staying off social media to keep her focus on the court and her mental health in check during what she described as a ‘whirlwind’ and ‘tough’ transition.
‘She’s a 22-year-old woman with a lot of pressure,’ Hammon said.
‘She’s not perfect,’ she added – echoing Wilson. ‘She’s a rookie in this league – back off.’
After nodding at her coach’s sentiments and appearing just as frustrated over the false narratives, Wilson added that Clark is ‘learning and growing just like everyone else.’
