Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s rookie sensation and walking double-double factory, has been in the fast lane since stepping foot on WNBA hardwood. Between setting records, dodging critics, and fielding endless photo requests, the former college star has traded study halls for sold-out arenas. But fame, it seems, is both a blessing and a chore—and Reese isn’t afraid to talk about both sides of the glittery coin.
In a candid chat with Complex, Reese pulled back the curtain on life in the spotlight. Spoiler alert: fame comes with front-of-the-line privileges and an unspoken rulebook about not ruining anyone’s day.
“Do I like [fame]? Sometimes,” Reese confessed with the kind of honesty that only comes after a long day of answering the same questions in 15 different ways. “I like the benefits that come with it. Being able to be prioritized, going to the front of the line, not having to wait for stuff. That’s the great thing.”
Translation? Reese loves the VIP treatment (who wouldn’t?), but it’s not all sunshine and skipped queues. Fame’s dark side has its moments too.
“I think sometimes, having to wake up every single day and understand I have to keep a smile on my face,” she continued. “I can’t tell somebody, ‘No, I can’t take a picture.’ I don’t want to ruin somebody’s day. I try to get up every single day and be positive because there are a lot of people that don’t have the same opportunities as me.”
Cue the collective “Awww.” But seriously, Reese’s juggling act of fan interactions, personal aspirations, and professional domination deserves a standing ovation.
Clark vs. Reese: The Rivalry That Wasn’t (But Kind of Was)
When Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark share the court, you can practically hear the Twitter servers creak under the weight of hot takes. Since their college days, their competitive sparks have been fanned into a social media bonfire, often labeled as a “rivalry.” But Reese? She’s not here for the drama.
“I think it’s just competition,” Reese explained. “It’s been a competition since college. I’ve been playing against Caitlin since we were in 8th or 9th grade. People don’t know the legacy of us being able to play against each other for a really long time. Obviously, social media is going to put two women against each other.”
Translation: calm down, internet. These two titans of the game aren’t out here plotting each other’s demise; they’re just trying to win. But hey, let’s not act like those mid-game staredowns and post-bucket flexes weren’t absolute gold.
A Record-Setting Rookie Season
Despite the internet’s obsession with turning every game into a grudge match, Reese stayed focused. Her rookie season was a masterpiece: 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Oh, and she obliterated the WNBA single-season rebounding record along with several other rookie benchmarks. No big deal.
Critics? Silenced. Doubters? Eating their words. Reese? Thriving.
While the world debates whether Reese or Clark is the face of the future WNBA, Angel Reese is busy building a legacy on her own terms. Between her historic stats, burgeoning media empire (shoutout to her podcast Unapologetically Angel), and ability to make headlines without trying, she’s the epitome of a modern superstar.
So, to all the skeptics, rivals, and keyboard warriors: Angel Reese is smiling—whether you like it or not.
