“The rappers. The singers. Everyone knows who I am,” Angel Reese said last year, and undoubtedly, she has been the one WNBA athlete heavily involved in pop culture. In May last year, Reese joined Megan Thee Stallion on stage during her tour stop in Chicago. Reese has previously also earned praise from SZA, the famous R&B artist, who has more than 20 million followers on Instagram. That praise was not without reason. And anything now is again not without a reason.

Reese broke multiple records in her rookie season. Her sophomore season has not panned out the way she had hoped, and her poor start has brought in a wave of trolls and critics from the fans. That expanded onto the media as they hit Reese with a barrage of irrelevant questions after their New York Liberty game. But as a true guard of that court, Ariel Atkins stepped in to defend Reese. 

That video of the post-match conference was seen by pop star Cardi B. The rapper, whose net worth is estimated at $80 million along with 36.7 million followers on X, shared a powerful show of solidarity for Reese by quoting Ariel Atkins’ clip. Cardi kept her message simple yet emotional, posting just two emojis: a red heart and a face holding back tears. The gesture spoke volumes, reflecting both her support and empathy for Reese, someone who, like Cardi herself, has faced intense public scrutiny and criticism in her career.

Reese and Cardi B are likely friends with each other as the basketball star had a cameo in the “Put It On Da Floor Again” video by Latto and Cardi B, which was released in June 2023. Reese appears in the video after Cardi B raps, “Put a ribbon on me, I been acting brand new, I ain’t smoking on no za’ lil’ b—–, I’m smoking on you, put your bestie in a pack and now I’m smoking her too, I been balling so damn hard coulda went to LSU.”

Reese also shared the spotlight with Cardi B at the 2024 Met Gala, a moment that underscored their growing bond. The Sky star had previously mentioned Cardi as one of the high-profile guests fans could expect at Chicago Sky games. Cardi had even planned to attend one, but couldn’t make it, later explaining that she got a flat tire at a gas station in Pennsylvania. The two have been close for years, and Cardi’s support during this time will undoubtedly mean a lot to Reese as she works to bounce back from a challenging start to the season.

She kicked off her comeback with her most impressive performance of the season so far. She was the lone warrior with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while going 8-13 from the field and 1-3 from beyond the arc. Before this game, she was averaging only 9.1 points a game, down from last season’s 13.6 and shooting 30.9% on the field. After this game, she is averaging 10.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, taking her average into the double digits. The Sky and Reese will hope this form continues as they try to resurrect an almost fallen season. 

Angel Reese Owns Up to Her Poor Start To The Season

Angel Reese was understandably overwhelmed by Atkins’s defense, and Atkins did what a veteran is supposed to do. Being only in the second year of her WNBA career, Reese has not yet perfected the art of shooing off meaningless trolls, and that still affects her, but Atkins, on the other hand, can speak with more authority than Reese can. The former LSU player, however, responded to Atkins with grace and went on to accept her deficiencies this season so far. 

Reese said. “I come into work every day and work. I don’t complain. I don’t care about anything else. I have bad days. I haven’t been playing well at all. I can sit around here and just mope around and point the finger, but it’s been me. I take accountability. I come in every day and try to be better than the last, and I know my teammates trust me. I know they have my back.”

Reese has not been the same player she was last year and has been facing some problems on the court. There is a fine line between criticism and just unnecessary abuse. Adding to this, there are the political and social factors that are beyond Reese’s control that also drive some sort of twisted narrative. While Angel Reese’s behavior on the court can come condescending to some, this type of confident demeanor is not new in sports. Many legendary players have exhibited similar swagger and faced criticism, especially during tough stretches in their careers.

A prime example is Allen Iverson, one of the most iconic players in NBA history, who was an anti-hero just like Reese. Iverson’s attitude towards the game was polarizing and angered many fans, while his style and flair on the court were second to none. Despite his immense talent, he went through multiple slumps and controversies, both on and off the court. Yet over time, his confidence became a defining part of his legacy, and he’s now celebrated for changing the culture of the NBA and inspiring countless athletes. We could be having a similar conversation about Reese in a few years. 

In conclusion, Angel Reese is fully aware of her performance and understands the level of competition she is up against. There is a reason she plays in the WNBA. She has the talent, drive, and resilience to succeed at the highest level. Her showing against the New York Liberty, the top team in the league, is a clear indication that she is on the right path. With her caliber and determination, there is every reason to believe she will bounce back stronger.