Angel Reese Stands by Gesture Directed at Caitlin Clark After LSU Wins National Title
Angel Reese, star player for LSU, defended her gesture aimed at Iowa Hawkeyes' Caitlin Clark during the Tigers' first NCAA women's basketball national championship victory on Sunday. The gesture, popularized by WWE star John Cena to mean "you can't see me," was interpreted as a reference to Clark's newly acquired championship ring.
Reese said she doesn't take disrespect lightly and called out a double standard after being "unapologetically" her opponent. In a press conference after the victory, Reese referenced the difference in reaction she received as compared to Clark's similar gesture earlier in the tournament.
Reese stated that throughout the season, she was criticized for who she was, and she didn't fit the narrative. She said, "All year, I was critiqued for who I was. I don’t fit the narrative." Reese added that when other people do it, and y'all don't say nothing, but when she does it, she's under fire.
The gesture has sparked much debate on social media, with some criticizing Reese while others have defended her actions. Sports journalist Jose de Jesus Ortiz called Reese's actions "classless," while former ESPN host Keith Olbermann called Reese an "idiot" for the gesture.
However, not everyone shares this sentiment. Former Washington Wizards player Etan Thomas wrote: “Hold on now!!!! It was cute when Caitlin Clark did it. Y'all didn’t have any issues with it at all. So don’t be all outraged and talking about class and sportsmanship when Angel Reese does the same thing."
Reese's gesture has also been defended by ESPN's Holly Rowe, who wrote: “People hating on Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark. Stop. Unapologetically confident young women should be celebrated NOT hated. Get used to it."
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said she had "no clue" about what transpired at the game.
Reese has averaged 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds in her first season with LSU after transferring from Maryland, which some say is due to her unapologetic attitude throughout the season.
Angel Reese, star player for LSU, defended her gesture aimed at Iowa Hawkeyes' Caitlin Clark during the Tigers' first NCAA women's basketball national championship victory on Sunday. The gesture, popularized by WWE star John Cena to mean "you can't see me," was interpreted as a reference to Clark's newly acquired championship ring.
Reese said she doesn't take disrespect lightly and called out a double standard after being "unapologetically" her opponent. In a press conference after the victory, Reese referenced the difference in reaction she received as compared to Clark's similar gesture earlier in the tournament.
Reese stated that throughout the season, she was criticized for who she was, and she didn't fit the narrative. She said, "All year, I was critiqued for who I was. I don’t fit the narrative." Reese added that when other people do it, and y'all don't say nothing, but when she does it, she's under fire.
The gesture has sparked much debate on social media, with some criticizing Reese while others have defended her actions. Sports journalist Jose de Jesus Ortiz called Reese's actions "classless," while former ESPN host Keith Olbermann called Reese an "idiot" for the gesture.
However, not everyone shares this sentiment. Former Washington Wizards player Etan Thomas wrote: “Hold on now!!!! It was cute when Caitlin Clark did it. Y'all didn’t have any issues with it at all. So don’t be all outraged and talking about class and sportsmanship when Angel Reese does the same thing."
Reese's gesture has also been defended by ESPN's Holly Rowe, who wrote: “People hating on Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark. Stop. Unapologetically confident young women should be celebrated NOT hated. Get used to it."
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said she had "no clue" about what transpired at the game.
Reese has averaged 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds in her first season with LSU after transferring from Maryland, which some say is due to her unapologetic attitude throughout the season.
can you believe the drama that's going on in the women's basketball world? so angel reese does a gesture at caitlin clark and suddenly she's the villain? like, hello, someone else did the same thing and it was cool? 
people need to chill. it's just a game, not a royal family feud. and btw, if anyone deserves an "idiot" label, it's the ones who think reese's gesture was classless 
.
like can't believe people are hating on her for being confident and unapologetic? newsflash: we should be celebrating women who aren't afraid to speak their minds and show some sass 
and btw, if John Cena is cool with the gesture, then so am I 
and honestly, it's kinda rich that people are calling out Reese for doing something that Clark did earlier in the tournament 
double standard much?
... like seriously though, if people werent mad at Caitlin 4 doin da same thing, why r they so extra on Angel? I mean, Angel just called out da double standard & told her critics to stop being so salty 
. And let's be real, its not even like she meant to disrespect Caitlin... she was just tryna have fun & make a point about people judging her based on who she is 
like how she's been criticized for who she is all season. Not trying to be salty or anything... just saying if everyone else can get away with it, why not her? 
... if others do it, no big deal, but when she does, suddenly shes "classless" 
for who she is. i feel like some ppl are being super hypocrite on social media, all mad at her for doing something clark did too... "you can't see me" 
!
like, who doesn't love a good dose of confidence? 
. She wasn't afraid to be herself on that court and now people are trying to spin it as a negative? Come on... if it was good enough for John Cena 
, it's good enough for Reese! The fact that some ppl (like Jose de Jesus Ortiz 
.
It's all about context and perspective. If Clark had done it earlier in the season, no one would've said a peep. But now that Reese did it... suddenly she's classless or an idiot? Give me a break! 
its like wat's da diff? she just said she dont take disrespect lightly & now every1s all up in arms 
saying we shouldnt hate on her 4 bein confident & unapologetic 
Caitlin Clark should've owned that ring 1st lol 
. Reese is just confident and owning her moments 
.
It was kinda like, a big middle finger to Caitlin Clark and her team. And yeah, it's not cool when people criticize Angel for being herself, but on the other hand, maybe she just wasn't considerate of how others might feel... idk, it's all super confusing!