Why Does Angel Reese Garner So Much Hate?

Basketball is not for the weak. Basketball is not for the timid. A level of grit is a requirement. Each time an athlete takes to the hardwood – trash talking, pushing and shoving and jaunts of antagonism should all be expected.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese proved she was up for the challenge long ago.

The occasional flair of arrogance doesn’t surprise any fan in 2025. A technical or two may even get the crowd more engaged. Talk your talk. Play your game. Solicit boos from opposing fans and you earn your stay in the league.

But what about a woman? Is it okay for a woman?

Angel Reese may not be arrogant, but confident. It just depends on who assesses her. She may talk back to her opponents, but she signs more autographs and takes more photos with fans than she does rack up technical fouls.

It’s fitting that Shaq served as a mentor to her, because like Shaq – Reese takes a great deal of unnecessary hits in the paint.

But she leads the league in rebounds.

Reese is doing her job. She’s also arriving to games in the latest fashions, batting her long eyelashes, sporting her different hairstyles, hosting her podcast, making her outside-the-league money, hanging out with her celebrity friends and living her life.

How dare she? It sounds like she should “shut up and dribble.” Right?

The Angel Reese hatred would be slightly more understandable if she weren’t an actual force on the court. The “Chi-Town Barbie” has amassed several endorsement deals, become a favorite for many young fans and again – still produces on the court.

Why does she garner so much hate?

It must be the fact that she has a voice and chooses to use it.