Angel Reese recently found herself at the center of controversy after celebrating an “unrivaled” championship she did not even play in. The media quickly pushed a narrative that positioned Reese as a dominant force in women’s basketball, despite her absence during the most crucial moments of the tournament. This latest debacle has left many questioning her credibility, work ethic, and the continued media-driven attempt to place her at the forefront of the sport.
When the announcement came that Reese’s team, the Rose, had won the Unrivaled League championship, the celebration was swift. Social media lit up with posts declaring her a champion, listing her achievements alongside her college title at LSU and her rebounding accolades in the WNBA. However, a closer look at the facts reveals a different reality. Reese did not play in the final two games of the tournament, including the championship match. Instead, she was spotted attending LeBron James’s son’s high school state championship game, raising serious doubts about how much this title actually mattered to her. If it were a significant career milestone, wouldn’t she have been there in person, leading her team to victory?
The irony is inescapable. While her teammates were on the court battling for the title, Reese was nowhere to be found. Yet, when it came time to celebrate, she was more than happy to take credit, going as far as to FaceTime into the postgame press conference. The optics were baffling—imagine a professional athlete missing the championship game and still expecting to be hailed as a leader. If Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, or Breanna Stewart had missed a championship game, the backlash would have been immediate and relentless. But Reese, with the media firmly in her corner, was shielded from much of the criticism she deserved.
The Unrivaled League itself is another aspect that complicates this so-called championship. Billed as a game-changing addition to women’s basketball, the league struggled to attract serious attention. With a three-on-three format and a lack of true star power, it failed to resonate with mainstream sports fans. Even ESPN, which has attempted to promote the league, couldn’t generate meaningful buzz around it. The viewership numbers were abysmal, and even some of the WNBA’s biggest names, including Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson, opted not to participate. The reality is that the league simply does not carry the weight or prestige of established leagues like the WNBA or the NCAA.
Despite this, social media was flooded with posts about Reese’s latest “accomplishment.” Her fans and supporters listed her Unrivaled championship as if it held the same weight as her LSU title or even a potential WNBA championship. But those who actually watched the tournament knew better. It was a glorified exhibition, one that didn’t have the same level of competition or intensity as traditional five-on-five play. The best players in the world were not there, and Reese wasn’t even present for the most important moments.
What makes this situation even more absurd is the way Reese has handled the aftermath. Instead of humbly acknowledging that her teammates secured the win without her, she took to social media with cryptic, boastful messages, asking her critics, “What y’all going to say now?” as if she had just silenced doubters with a legendary performance. In reality, the only thing people were questioning was how someone who didn’t play in the final two games of a tournament could claim a championship with a straight face.
The media’s attempt to prop up Reese as the face of women’s basketball is growing increasingly desperate. Unlike players who let their performances do the talking, Reese seems to thrive on controversy and carefully curated narratives. The problem with this approach is that the truth eventually comes to light. While Reese is busy celebrating a championship she didn’t contribute to, Caitlin Clark is actually changing the game.
Clark’s impact on women’s basketball has been nothing short of revolutionary. She has broken attendance records, driven TV ratings to new heights, and brought unprecedented attention to the WNBA. Her games consistently sell out, and the demand for her merchandise is unparalleled. The WNBA itself has seen an increase in revenue, media deals, and overall interest largely due to Clark’s presence. When the NBA decided to cancel its Three-Point Contest after Clark declined to participate, it was a clear sign of just how powerful her influence has become.
The stark contrast between Clark and Reese is becoming more evident with each passing week. While Clark is setting records and proving her worth on the court, Reese is relying on social media narratives and media hype to maintain relevance. But how long can this illusion last? At some point, results must match the rhetoric.
Reese’s WNBA career thus far has been underwhelming. Her shooting struggles have been well-documented, with her field goal percentage ranking among the worst for a player at her position. Layup compilations featuring her repeated misses have become internet fodder, with fans sarcastically calling for her to be given a max contract for her “elite” ability to miss shots. In the WNBA, where every game matters, performances like these do not justify the superstar treatment Reese continues to receive from certain media outlets.
It’s also worth considering what this means for the future of women’s basketball. Reese and her supporters have positioned her as a pivotal figure in the sport’s growth, but the numbers tell a different story. Viewership for Unrivaled League games featuring Reese plummeted, struggling to draw even 100,000 viewers. Meanwhile, any game featuring Caitlin Clark sees massive spikes in attendance and ratings. If Reese were truly the superstar the media claims she is, why aren’t more people tuning in to watch her play? Why aren’t her WNBA games selling out at the same rate as Clark’s? The answer is simple—star power cannot be manufactured.
If Reese wants to be taken seriously as one of the elite players in women’s basketball, she needs to start proving it on the court. That means showing up for important games, improving her efficiency, and demonstrating that she can be a leader when it matters most. Championships are earned, not handed out as participation trophies.
The truth is, Reese has been given every opportunity to establish herself as a legitimate star. But rather than putting in the work to refine her game and elevate her team, she continues to engage in antics that only serve to highlight the gap between her perception and reality.
Ultimately, the more Reese leans into media-driven narratives instead of focusing on her actual game, the harder it will be for her to escape the scrutiny. Fans aren’t fooled by the hype. They recognize who the real stars are, and right now, it’s clear that Caitlin Clark is the one leading the charge in revolutionizing women’s basketball. If Reese wants to join that conversation, it’s time for her to put down the phone, step onto the court, and start proving she deserves the spotlight. Until then, her so-called championship will remain nothing more than a footnote in a career still searching for legitimacy.
