When Angel Reese returned to LSU — the campus where she once led her team to a national championship — many expected a hero’s welcome. With her team, the Chicago Sky, scheduled to play a preseason matchup against the Brazilian national team at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, it seemed like the perfect recipe for a sell-out. Instead, what unfolded has sparked a serious conversation about perception versus reality in women’s basketball stardom.

Despite tickets as low as $11 and the nostalgia of a championship run, only 6,373 fans showed up to an arena that holds over 13,000. Entire sections remained visibly empty. For a player who once boldly claimed, “People watch women’s basketball because of me too,” the turnout was jarring. The attendance cast doubt on Reese’s self-proclaimed star power and raised questions about her actual drawing influence.

A Self-Proclaimed Draw, an Unfilled Arena

Reese has been vocal in asserting her role in the rising popularity of women’s basketball. She’s mentioned in interviews that she’ll look back and say, “It wasn’t just one person. It was me too.” Yet, when the spotlight returned to her former home court, it didn’t shine as brightly as anticipated. The same arena that roared during her college days sat more than half empty during her professional return.

Many critics argue that Reese’s appeal doesn’t translate to genuine basketball fandom. Her supporters, they claim, are more invested in her personality and online presence than her performance on the court. When it came time to buy a ticket and show support, they didn’t show up.

Social Media Fallout and a Mother’s Defense

When photos of the empty arena circulated online, social media wasted no time dissecting the situation. One particularly pointed response came from Reese’s mother, who tweeted:

“That certain fan base looking in the stands celebrating attendance while others are looking up in the rafters celebrating championship banners. We ain’t the same.”

The tweet — clearly aimed at Caitlin Clark’s fanbase — backfired. Instead of diffusing criticism, it ignited more debate. Championship banners, many noted, don’t excuse poor attendance in a professional setting. Reese’s college accolades, impressive as they are, don’t guarantee her a successful WNBA career or dedicated fanbase.

Statistical Struggles on the Court

Adding to the narrative is the shift in Reese’s on-court role. New Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh plans to move Reese away from her strength under the basket, transitioning her into a stretch-four position — a spot that demands perimeter shooting. But the numbers are not on her side.

In her rookie season, Reese had the lowest effective field goal percentage in the league (39.5%), shot just 39% from within five feet, and only 18.8% from beyond the arc. For a player known for rebounding and hustle plays, a shift to the perimeter threatens to further expose her offensive weaknesses.

Meanwhile, Clark Packs Venues Nationwide

The contrast with Caitlin Clark couldn’t be starker. Clark, who rarely boasts about her popularity, consistently sells out arenas. Her recent return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena sold out within minutes, and average ticket prices exceeded $400 — for a preseason game.

She doesn’t need to claim she’s a draw — the numbers, the crowds, and the broadcast ratings say it all. Her WNBA debut pulled in 2.25 million viewers, and she’s so popular that opposing teams are moving games to larger NBA arenas just to accommodate demand.

Perception vs. Reality in the WNBA

The disparity between Reese and Clark’s professional starts reflects a deeper truth about women’s basketball stardom. Publicity, media presence, and college dominance do not automatically translate into professional success or mass appeal.

Reese may have been a dominant college force and an online sensation, but her current trajectory suggests she must adapt both her game and her expectations. Meanwhile, Clark’s quiet dominance is changing the WNBA’s financial and cultural landscape in real-time.

Final Thoughts

Angel Reese’s return to LSU was meant to be a celebration — instead, it became a reality check. Fans didn’t show up, and statistics don’t lie. While she still has time to grow as a player, the narrative that she’s an equal draw to Caitlin Clark is, at least for now, not supported by the data.

As the WNBA season progresses, all eyes will be on how Reese adapts to her new role — and whether she can turn social media attention into real, lasting fan support.