ANGEL REESE UNDER FIRE: WNBA Fed Up With Deception – 20 Lies That Sparked a Major Controversy
Angel Reese, one of the most talked-about players in women’s basketball, isn’t holding back. In a recent statement, Reese declared that people watch women’s basketball because of her, not just Caitlin Clark. Bold words, but do they hold up? Let’s break it down and look at the numbers, controversies, and some hard truths about Reese’s impact on the WNBA.
The Ratings Tell a Different Story
While Angel Reese boasts about her influence, Caitlin Clark continues to dominate where it matters most: ratings and attendance. Clark’s WNBA playoff debut pulled in 1.84 million viewers, and her second game peaked at 3 million—numbers that haven’t been seen in over two decades. Meanwhile, games without Clark struggle to hit a million viewers. For example, Game 1 of the Liberty-Aces semi-finals barely scraped 929,000 viewers.
Reese’s Chicago Sky? They didn’t even make the playoffs this year, ending a six-year streak. Attendance for the Sky averaged 8,700 fans per game, while Indiana Fever games featuring Caitlin Clark packed arenas, sometimes requiring opponents to book larger venues.
The Villain Role: Embraced or Forced?
Reese has leaned into her “villain” persona, claiming she’s happy to be the bad guy for her team. But her actions on and off the court have fueled that narrative more than any media spin. Who could forget her taunting Caitlin Clark during the NCAA finals, mimicking John Cena’s “You can’t see me” gesture? Reese insists the media unfairly painted her as a villain, but actions speak louder than words.
Sam Cassell’s Brutal Honesty
Reese’s work ethic has also been called into question. NBA legend Sam Cassell once described her high school performance as “lazy,” a critique that still lingers. On the court, Reese’s hustle sometimes looks questionable, with claims that she intentionally misses layups to pad her rebound stats.
In fact, Reese holds the unfortunate record for the worst layup conversion rate in WNBA history—only 43.8% of her shots within five feet of the basket go in. Critics argue her double-doubles are less about dominance and more about stat padding.
Locker Room Drama and Team Dynamics
Reese’s focus on personal stats over team success has reportedly created tension in the Chicago Sky locker room. Former teammate Marina Mabrey didn’t mince words after being traded to the Connecticut Sun, praising the Sun’s professionalism and team-first culture—a stark contrast to the drama surrounding Reese’s time in Chicago.
Is She a Draw or a Distraction?
Reese’s claim that teams regret not drafting her feels more like wishful thinking than reality. The Chicago Sky selected her seventh overall, yet even her own team prioritized other players in earlier picks. And while she insists that rival teams now wish they had her, the numbers and on-court performances tell a different story.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
Caitlin Clark continues to set the standard, not just as a player but as a phenomenon. Her jersey sales have broken records, her games consistently draw massive crowds, and she’s on track to become one of the most iconic figures in women’s basketball history. In contrast, Reese’s controversies often overshadow her achievements.
Final Thoughts
Angel Reese is undeniably talented, but her bold claims about her impact on women’s basketball don’t always align with the facts. While she thrives on being a polarizing figure, the numbers and on-court performances point to Caitlin Clark as the true driving force behind the sport’s growing popularity.
So, is Angel Reese the reason people are tuning in? Maybe for the drama. But for the basketball? Caitlin Clark is the one filling the seats and breaking the records.