Angel Reese Embraces Villain Role to Boost Women's Basketball

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese has emerged as a polarizing figure, embracing criticism and negativity to help elevate the profile of women's basketball.

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese may not have been a top-three selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft, but her impact on the league has been undeniable. Reese's popularity has soared since her days as a star player at LSU, where she led the Tigers to a national title in 2022 and engaged in a heated rivalry with Iowa star Caitlin Clark.

Reese's rising fame has brought both lucrative name, image, and likeness deals and a fair share of criticism. The spotlight intensified on Saturday when Reese appeared to cheer on teammate Chennedy Carter following a hip-check on Clark. The incident drew a $1,000 fine and further scrutiny from fans and media.

Undeterred, Reese spoke openly about her experiences on Monday. She acknowledged the negative attention but emphasized her willingness to embrace the villain role for the greater good of women's basketball.

"It all started from the national championship game," Reese said. "I've been dealing with this for two years now. Understanding, yeah, negative things have probably been said about me, but honestly, I'll take that because look where women's basketball is. People are talking about women's basketball (who) you would never think would be talking about women's basketball."

Reese believes that her willingness to play the villain has helped captivate audiences and generate interest in the sport. "People are pulling up to games. We got celebrities coming to games, sold out arenas, just because of one single game," she said. "And just look at that. I'll take that role. I'll take the bad guy role. And I'll continue to take that on and be that villain for my teammates."

"If I wanna be that, I know I'll go down in history. I'll look back in 20 years like the reason why we're watching women's basketball is not just because of one person. It's because of me too. I want y'all to realize that."

On the court, Reese has made an immediate impact for the Sky, averaging 10.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game through seven games. Her rebounding prowess places her seventh in the league.

Despite a recent loss to Indiana, Reese remains optimistic about the Sky's potential. "We lost, but we played hard," she said. "We just gotta keep working, keep practicing, and keep believing in each other."

Reese's embrace of the villain role is a testament to her strength and determination. By using the negativity as fuel, she hopes to inspire others and pave the way for a brighter future for women's basketball.

As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how Reese's role evolves. Whether she continues to stir controversy or emerges as a beloved figure, one thing is certain: she will continue to leave an indelible mark on the game.