It seems that Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese learned the hard way not to underestimate a basketball giant, especially when that giant is Shaquille O’Neal! The reigning WNBA star found herself at the center of a viral internet sensation after challenging the 7’1″ NBA legend to a quick free-throw bet…with a whopping $100,000 on the line!
Yep, you read that right. One hundred grand—just for a free throw.
A Rookie Mistake: Betting Against Shaq’s Skills
In a moment that’ll go down as one of those “What was she thinking?” bets, Reese—clearly full of confidence—dared Shaq to make a simple free throw. Now, we all know Shaq’s historical achilles heel on the free-throw line (cue flashbacks of clunky shots and rim rattles), but in this case, the Hall of Famer effortlessly swished the ball, leaving Reese and the internet stunned!
“I Guess I Owe Him $100K”
The jaw-dropping moment was captured on video and quickly set social media on fire. An exasperated Reese took to Instagram Stories, humorously lamenting, “I guess I owe him $100,000,” followed by a slew of crying emojis. Fans erupted with comments, some poking fun at the staggering amount, saying, “Isn’t that her whole rookie contract?” and “Didn’t know Angel had Shaq money!”
How Much Is $100K Really Worth to Reese?
Though it may seem like Reese’s $100K bet would leave a dent in her bank account, fear not—Angel is hardly sweating it. With a four-year deal valued at $324,383 and lucrative endorsements with brands like Reebok and Reese’s Pieces (no, the pun wasn’t lost on us either!), the WNBA star is more than capable of cashing out. But still, the internet couldn’t help but reel from the amount. For context, some noted, “That’s more than some WNBA players make in a season!”
Shaq’s Priceless Reaction
And Shaq? Oh, he was all smiles—flashing that classic grin we’ve seen for decades. He knew he had her the moment the bet was made. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the bragging rights. And right now, Shaq has bragging rights that’ll last a lifetime!
Angel Reese: A Lesson Learned?
So, what’s next for Angel? We hope she’s taking notes and maybe sticking to lower-stakes bets in the future. After all, the 6’3” forward can still dunk on just about anyone in the WNBA, but Shaq? Yeah, she might want to steer clear of challenging him anytime soon—unless it’s about eating pizza or rapping.
In the end, Reese may have lost $100K, but she gained something even more valuable: the internet’s admiration for going toe-to-toe with the Big Diesel himself. Because in the world of sports, sometimes it’s not about winning or losing; it’s about creating moments that make everyone laugh, shake their heads, and wonder, “Did she really just do that?”
Shaq: 1. Angel: 0.
The next time Reese tries to call out a legend, let’s hope it’s something a bit safer… like who can eat the most donuts in a minute! Until then, let’s all appreciate the audacity and the humor in this $100,000 lesson, which proves one thing: When Shaq’s involved, always, always bet on the Big Fella.
Now, where’s the rematch, Angel?