“They Don’t Want Me Here”: Angel Reese Breaks Silence After Shocking Hate Speech From WNBA Crowd

In the midst of what should have been a celebratory moment in her WNBA rookie season, Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has broken her silence on a troubling reality: targeted hate speech from fans. During a candid post-game interview following the Sky’s recent matchup, Reese admitted that she’s been deeply affected by the verbal attacks she’s received—some of which have come directly from the stands.

“I hear it. I’m not gonna lie and act like it doesn’t bother me,” Reese told reporters. “Sometimes it feels like they don’t want me here.”

The 22-year-old forward, known for her unapologetic confidence and bold personality, has become one of the most polarizing figures in women’s basketball since her LSU days. Her outspoken nature and high-profile rivalry with Caitlin Clark during the 2023 NCAA tournament catapulted her into national fame—and, for some, controversy.

While Reese has never shied away from expressing herself, she acknowledged that the transition to the pros has come with unexpected hostility. “It’s hard to hear some of the things people say. I get called names, I get told I don’t belong, and I know a lot of it isn’t just about basketball,” she said, implying that issues of race, gender, and image may be fueling the criticism.

Social media has only magnified the scrutiny. Posts targeting Reese often receive thousands of likes and comments, many of which veer into personal territory. From her fashion choices to her celebratory gestures on the court, it seems nothing escapes the microscope.

But amid the hate, Reese says she’s also been overwhelmed by support—from teammates, fans, and fellow players alike. “I’ve had people DM me, come up to me after games, just to say they see me and they support me. That means more than I can explain.”

Fellow WNBA players like A’ja Wilson and Natasha Cloud have publicly backed Reese, calling out the double standards that young Black women in sports continue to face. “We know what this is,” Wilson posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Angel is doing exactly what she’s supposed to be doing—and she’s doing it her way.”

Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon also addressed the issue, telling the media, “Angel has our full support. This league needs personalities like hers. What she’s going through should never happen to any athlete, let alone a rookie.”

As the conversation around mental health and athlete safety continues to evolve in the WNBA, Reese’s vulnerability has struck a chord. Fans have started the hashtag #ProtectAngelReese, calling for the league to take a stronger stance against hate speech at games and online.

In the end, Reese says she’s not backing down. “I’ve dealt with worse. I’m going to keep showing up, keep being me. And if that makes people uncomfortable, that’s on them—not me.”