Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese has been a main topic of conversation since her days at LSU. It seems that conversation and spotlight have gotten even bigger since she was drafted into the WNBA.
Now, her fans are worried about her mental health following an interview by Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Unlike her, Reese appeared disinterested in having the interview as she reportedly only provided one or two-word answers, and the revelation had fans worrying about her mental health.
“A few questions in, it was clear that one- or two-word answers were the order of the day,” Greenberg wrote. “And that something was wrong, even though Reese had essentially ignored a couple of questions by saying, dismissively, “I’m good.”
“I know how y’all like to twist my words, so I’m just keeping it short and sweet,” Reese said.
“I can’t trust any of y’all,” she added to Greenberg, speaking about WNBA media members. “So I’m just letting you know — short and sweet.”
this broke my heart, I really hope angel is okay. 💔 pic.twitter.com/wCSCEcSRdW
— LANI ❦ (@___lovelani) June 18, 2024
Reese being so defensive and unwilling to speak her mind had fans jumping on social media to ponder about her mental health and to let her know she had people behind her.
don’t let them steal your joy, angel. we love you! 🥺🫶🏽 @Reese10Angel
— LANI ❦ (@___lovelani) June 18, 2024
I hope Angel Reese knows how loved she is pic.twitter.com/Qk8eHlIowN
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) June 19, 2024
I pray for Angel Reese’s mental. The media(not everybody) has done her such a disservice over the last two years. We talk about giving grace to Caitlin at just 22 and figuring things out(and we should) but why is Angel not given that same grace? Cuz she’s an outspoken BW.
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) June 19, 2024
People don’t realize that the treatment she’s getting is the type of stuff that will drive someone to the edge. And so many people have 0 empathy for her regardless. Praying for her 🙁
— Jadyn ♱ (@jaydluvaa) June 18, 2024
It’s sad because Angel came in to the season so bright and open towards the media to the point people were joking she got media training. I’ve been very disappointed in how some of the local media in particular has behaved this season towards her and the team
— C (@deceb7) June 19, 2024
Because that’s the way society treats Black Women as a whole. We are the most disrespected, unprotected, and unappreciated persons on the planet.
— Farrah Monroe ♎️🏳️🌈💰 11:11 (@SneakerDiva1922) June 19, 2024
Hope she sees this lil bro 🤞
— disney (@DisneyChamps) June 19, 2024
Protect @Reese10Angel at all costs. Make her feel the love!
— Apestronaut (@vonbraunish) June 19, 2024
Angel Reese is fine.
It’s the media whose toxic POV is permeating throughout America that’s the problem.
She’s just drawing a boundary to protect herself. https://t.co/CpRueWnjeR
— THEE Four-Eyed Raven (@iamJxWoods) June 19, 2024
After the Iowa Hawkeyes eliminated her LSU Tigers in the NCAA Tournament, Angel Reese spoke on how unhappy she was after receiving death threats following her victory in March Madness the previous year.
Reese broke down crying to reporters as she revealed the internet hate had been getting to her.
“I just try to stay strong… I’ve been attacked so many times. Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened… All this has happened since I won the national championship & I haven’t been happy since then.”
– Angel
(h/t @ClutchPoints )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 2, 2024
“I just try to stand strong. I’ve been through so much, I’ve seen so much, I’ve been attacked so many times,” shared the 21-year-old college student. “Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, threatened…so many things, and I’ve stood strong. Every single time. And I just try to stand strong for my teammates because I don’t want them to see me down and not be there for them.”
The NCAA champion dealt with cyberbullying in college, and it has followed her into the WNBA. Now, it appears she is taking a stance against the media for twisting her words and not allowing any more hate to come her way based on a few words she stated during an interview that will be taken out of context.
Angel Reese Previously Stated She Was Willing to Play ‘Bad Guy Role’
Amid talks about the state of her mental health, a few weeks ago, Angel Reese said she was willing to “take the bad guy role” in her rivalry with Caitlin Clark if it meant continued growth for women’s basketball, per Fox News.
Reese, who was seen clapping and hugging Chennedy Carter, who pushed Clark down to the ground during their first meeting, was the subject of much scrutiny online.
Despite that, she was not backing down from her perceived role as the villain.
Reese told reporters, “Look where women’s basketball is. People are talking about women’s basketball that you never would think would be talking about women’s basketball.
“People are pulling up to games, we got celebrities coming to games, sold out arenas, just because of [the 2023 NCAA championship game].
“And just looking 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 for my teammates.”