Angel Reese defends gesture directed towards Caitlin Clark after LSU national title win; calls out double standard after being 'unapologetically' her

Angel Reese, the star player of LSU's women's basketball team, defended her gesture towards Iowa Hawkeyes' Caitlin Clark after the Tigers secured their national title win on Sunday.

Reese aimed a hand gesture at Clark near the end of the game, popularized by WWE star John Cena to mean "you can't see me." She then pointed to her ring finger, suggesting that her championship ring might be placed there. The gesture was met with controversy on social media, with some criticizing Reese and others defending her actions.

Reese acknowledged that she doesn't take disrespect lightly and referenced the double standard in reaction to Clark's similar gesture earlier in the tournament. "I don't fit the narrative," Reese said. "I'm too hood. I'm too ghetto." She added that she was trying to speak up for women who look like her and express herself unapologetically.

Reese had a strong game, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the 102-85 victory. She also won the Most Outstanding Player award for the tournament. Clark, on the other hand, said she didn't notice anything unusual during the game and praised LSU's coach Kim Mulkey for her leadership.

On social media, some have defended Reese against criticism, including ESPN's Holly Rowe and former NBA star Etan Thomas. "People hating on Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark," Rowe wrote on Twitter. "Stop. Unapologetically confident young women should be celebrated NOT hated."

Reese has taken the negative reaction in stride, saying that it fuelled her excellent season. "Twitter can say what they want to say," she said. "I love reading those comments. I have all the screenshots of what everybody has said about me all season. What are you going to say now?"

I think Angel Reese is totally owning her confidence and sass, and honestly, I'm here for it! The fact that people are criticizing her for being unapologetically herself is just ridiculous – we should be celebrating women who aren't afraid to speak their minds and express themselves. And let's be real, if Caitlin Clark can get away with making a similar gesture without getting roasted... Reese was just giving it back to the haters on social media, and I love that she's not taking it lying down. It's all about perspective – some people are gonna hate no matter what, but others will see her as a total boss

The incident surrounding Angel Reese's gesture towards Caitlin Clark highlights a double standard in how women's confidence and assertiveness are perceived in sports. While Clark's similar gesture was met with praise, Reese's was scrutinized and criticized. This dichotomy speaks to the societal expectation that women must be demure and humble, whereas men can express themselves more freely.

It's interesting to note that Reese, who has been unapologetic about her actions, has actually gained support from social media, including notable figures like Holly Rowe and Etan Thomas. Their defense of Reese serves as a reminder that confident women are not inherently negative or arrogant. Rather, they are simply expressing themselves authentically.

It's also worth considering the context in which these gestures were made. Both Clark and Reese were in competitive environments where their actions were subject to scrutiny. The fact that both players received different treatment speaks to the need for more nuanced understanding of women's experiences in sports.

idk why people gotta be so extra about angel reese's gesture ...she's just tryna own her ring finger and express herself unapologetically , but social media loves to pick apart every little thing. it's like she did something wrong, even when it was meant as a nod to john cena. people need to chill and realize that women come in all shapes & sizes ...we can't be expected to conform to some certain standard of 'respectability' just to get validation ...angel reese is a boss on the court, but she's also a boss off it . let's celebrate her win and her confidence, not tear her down for being unapologetically herself

omg what's good fam so i was scrollin thru twitter after that game and i saw so many ppl tryna come for Angel Reese like she did something wrong lol. but honestly, who hasn't done that gesture before? it's like, john cena popularized it, lol. and let's be real, Caitlin Clark was talkin trash too . but Reese, bless her heart, just owned it and now people are hating on her for tryna represent herself and women of color. i love how she said she's not afraid to speak up and express herself unapologetically . and btw, that Most Outstanding Player award was well deserved . let's celebrate our queens, not tear them down

lol im so over this hand gesture drama!!! it's just a harmless gesture meant to show confidence and swagger, but noooo, people gotta make it into something more. like, angel reese is tryin to speak up for women who look like her & express themselves unapologetically, not disrespect anyone she was just bein herself, and now some ppl are tryin to shame her for it meanwhile, clark's all like "i didn't do nothin'" whatever, angie's still the queen & we love her for it

Ugh, this whole thing is just so extra ! Like, Angel Reese was trying to own her confidence and self-expression, and people are still finding ways to hate on her . Caitlin Clark did the same gesture, and suddenly it's all good? No way . The narrative that we have to be "ladylike" or "polite" is just so tired . Reese was right to call out this double standard - women of color are already expected to navigate a world where they're both strong and feminine, you know? And the fact that people are still talking about Clark's gesture without even acknowledging Reese's response is just... wow .

Anyway, I'm low-key impressed by Reese's confidence (and shade) game. She's definitely owning this moment , and we should be celebrating her for it . The fact that she's unapologetically herself, no matter what Twitter has to say, is just inspiring .

It's also worth noting that the whole "you can't see me" thing is just so... WWE . Like, come on guys, we're all adults here. Can't we just have a little bit of fun without having to unpack every single gesture and intention behind it?

OMG, I'm so done with the hate on Angel Reese ! Like, girl's got game and she knows how to own it ! Caitlin Clark thought that little gesture was gonna catch her off guard? Please . Reese spoke truth to power and called out the double standard. If Clark can do it, why can't she? It's all about female solidarity and supporting each other, imo . Reese is low-key a hero for owning her hood and ghetto vibes . And honestly, if Twitter's gonna roast her, I'm all for it ! Bring on the tea, sis! ️

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole drama... Angel Reese is right, though - that double standard on display is wild! On one hand, Caitlin Clark gets away with basically the same gesture and people eat it up? Meanwhile, Reese makes a similar move and suddenly she's being villainized. The fact that women like Reese are expected to apologize for being confident and unapologetic about themselves is just ridiculous... The Most Outstanding Player award is more than earned by Reese, but I guess her bold gesture was just an added bonus?

OMG u guys! Angel Reese is serving LOOKS!!! I'm loving her confidence and sassiness on that court , but also how she's owning the drama with those hate comments . Like, who needs all that negativity when you can just be yourself and slay the game? I think it's dope that she's speaking up for women who look like her and aren't afraid to express themselves unapologetically . And let's be real, who doesn't love a good double standard? Caitlin Clark might not have noticed anything weird during the game, but Reese was READY for it !

Ugh, social media is just crazy right now ! I was watching that game with my girls and we were cheering so hard for Angel Reese . She totally deserved that championship ring and I'm still salty about the people who didn't give her the respect she deserved . And honestly, can you blame her for defending herself? It's not like Caitlin Clark didn't make a similar gesture earlier in the game . But what really got me is how some people are still trying to shame Angel Reese for being unapologetically herself . Like, girl, own it! You go you and if Twitter wants to hate on you, that's just fuel for your fire . Back in my day... we didn't have all these drama queens on social media, but I guess times are changing .

honestly tho, i think its kinda weird how people are so surprised that Angel Reese called out the double standard ... like, shouldn't everyone be expecting that from someone who's been through what she's been through? her whole thing about being unapologetically herself is just so inspiring and relatable and to see people hating on her for speaking truth... just not my cup of tea ️ i mean, i get why some ppl might think its rude or dismissive but Reese has literally been body-shamed, racist comments made about her, and even questions about her own identity so like, who's she supposed to be apologetic to?

come on, people gotta stop being so sensitive! Angel Reese was just trying to own that moment and prove a point about double standards in sports. If Clark could get away with essentially saying 'you can't see me' without any backlash, then why did Reese's gesture warrant so much criticism? It's all about perspective and context. And btw, Caitlin Clark said she didn't even notice the gesture , so maybe people are just projecting their own negativity onto Reese. The fact that some people are defending her against all this hate is what really matters – it shows there are still good humans out there who see beyond the drama

idk why ppl r still makin a big deal outta this ... Angel Reese did what she thought was cool, & honestly, it's kinda cute . Caitlin Clark did the same gesture earlier, but nobody batted an eye . It's not like Angel made some trash talk or dissed her opponent, just a harmless hand gesture . ppl need to chill out & stop trying 2 dictate how women should express themselves . It's all about confidence & owning your swag . And btw, Angel slayed on the court

omg i feel like this is so extra ... people need to chill on the hand gesture thing, it was just a fun moment in an otherwise amazing game! Angel Reese didn't do anything wrong, she's a confident woman expressing herself and having fun with her teammates . It's not about disrespecting Caitlin Clark or anyone else, it's about embracing your personality and not caring what others think . And honestly, I love that Angel is owning the drama and using it to fuel her success - she's a total boss !

omg this whole thing is like WWE drama lol but seriously angel reese brought up some good points, i mean who hasn't been told they don't fit a certain narrative or that their confidence is "too much" and honestly clark's response was pretty bland considering how fired up the internet got about it anyway back to reese - she totally slayed on the court 15 points and 10 rebounds? that's no joke! and those comments from rowe and thomas are straight fire i'm lowkey glad reese is not taking any of it seriously, because let's be real twitter can be super toxic

I think it's so cool how Angel Reese is owning that controversy ! People need to chill out and understand that she was just trying to express herself and celebrate her own win . She wasn't being disrespectful towards Clark, she was just giving a thumbs up to the haters . And honestly, if people can't handle a little sass from a young woman who's killing it on the court , then maybe they should be rewatching their own behavior... or just taking a deep breath and moving on .

I gotta say, I'm both here for and against Angel Reese's gesture... kinda . On one hand, I get why some people were taken aback - the WWE reference is pretty iconic, but also a bit weird in a sports setting. And yeah, Caitlin Clark did make a similar move earlier on, so it feels like Reese was responding to some shade .

But at the same time, I love that Reese owned her confidence and unapologetically expressed herself . She's speaking up for women who look like her, which is amazing . And honestly, if I were a 20-something-year-old woman watching this on Twitter, I'd be inspired by her sass and determination .

Of course, the drama that unfolded was a bit much... all these "you can't see me" vibes everywhere . But Reese handled it like a pro, even turning the criticism into fuel for her season . That takes skill, girl !

ugh i dont get why ppl are making such a big deal outta this gesture lol angel reese is just tryna own that title and celebrate her win in her own way meanwhile clark was just chillin on the sidelines but honestly i think its time we move past this drama and focus on the fact that these two talented women are killing it on the court reese is right tho, twitter can say what it wants, but she's taking all the hate as fuel to her success