Angel Reese STRIKES BACK After Internet HOAX Claims She’s the WORST WNBA Player — A Deep Dive Into the Online Hate, the Truth Behind the Stats, and Her Powerful Response

In the high-stakes, fast-paced world of professional sports, fame is a double-edged sword. For WNBA rising star Angel Reese, that sword recently came down hard. A viral hoax claimed that Reese had been “rated the WORST player in the WNBA,” sparking an online firestorm, fueling thousands of hateful comments, and triggering widespread backlash. But instead of letting the false narrative break her, Angel Reese is clapping back — with truth, stats, and raw emotion.

This article dives deep into the origins of the hoax, how it spiraled into online chaos, why Angel Reese became the target, and how she’s fighting back in real time. More than a controversy, this story reveals the darker side of internet culture — and the strength of an athlete who refuses to be silenced.

The Viral Hoax: Where It All Started

It began, as many digital disasters do, with a manipulated graphic.

A fake sports statistics page made its way across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, falsely claiming that Angel Reese was ranked “the worst-performing player in the 2025 WNBA season.” The graphic cited made-up data such as:

“Turnover rate: 5.7 per game”
“Efficiency rating: -4.3”
“Fan popularity: lowest in the league”

None of these numbers were real. The account behind the graphic was later revealed to be a parody page with a history of trolling women’s sports. But by then, the damage was done. The post had already been shared tens of thousands of times.

Screenshots circulated like wildfire, influencers weighed in without fact-checking, and hate-filled threads erupted overnight. Reese’s name trended on X — not for her latest performance, but because of a lie.

Why Angel Reese? The Ugly Truth About Who We Choose to Target

Angel Reese has long been a polarizing figure, even dating back to her NCAA days at LSU. She’s confident, stylish, unapologetic — and that combination, for many, is triggering.

As a successful Black female athlete who dares to be vocal and visible, Reese doesn’t fit the mold that some people want from female athletes: quiet, humble, and unthreatening. She celebrates loudly, speaks her mind, and stands tall in a league that’s finally being recognized.

Critics call her “cocky.” Supporters call her “powerful.” But this time, critics went too far.

The Fallout: How Social Media Turned on a Star

The fake post opened the floodgates.

Suddenly, trolls felt justified. Comments piled in accusing Reese of being “all talk, no game,” “a social media star, not a real athlete,” and worse. Entire TikTok videos were made mocking her style, her stats, and her confidence. Even verified accounts reposted the fake claim without verification.

The line between criticism and cyberbullying blurred — and then vanished entirely.

Here are just a few examples of what she faced online:

“Reese should stick to Instagram modeling. WNBA’s worst player lmao.”

“She’s the definition of overrated. How is this clown still starting games?”

“Trash stats, trash attitude. Done with the Reese hype.”

These weren’t just harmless comments. They were targeted, dehumanizing attacks based on misinformation. And they reflect a larger cultural problem: people often relish tearing down successful women — especially when they’re unapologetically themselves.

The Reality: Let’s Talk About Angel Reese’s REAL Numbers

Here’s what the trolls conveniently ignored: Angel Reese is actually having a solid season.

As of her last five games before the controversy:

Averaging 12.8 points per game
Grabbing 9.4 rebounds per game
Shooting 45% from the field
Consistent double-doubles in key matchups

Far from being the “worst” player, Reese has been one of the most consistent rebounders in the WNBA this season. Her hustle plays and ability to draw fouls have helped her team close gaps and secure tough wins.

Even ESPN analysts noted her improvement:

“Angel Reese has shown maturity and growth in her transition to the WNBA. She’s evolving, learning, and producing.”

So where’s the disconnect? It’s simple: the narrative sells. Truth doesn’t go viral — drama does.

Angel Reese Responds: “I’m Not Backing Down”

After staying silent for nearly 24 hours, Angel Reese finally addressed the controversy — and her words cut through the noise.

On her Instagram Story and later on X, she wrote:

“It’s wild how far some of y’all will go to tear a woman down. I see the lies. I see the hate. I know who I am. I’ve been doubted before and I’ll keep proving you wrong.”

She followed that post with a short video of herself working out in the gym with the caption:

“The work doesn’t lie.”

Fans erupted in support. Celebrities, teammates, and other WNBA stars like A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier reposted her message with words of encouragement.

Even Shaquille O’Neal, a longtime supporter of Reese, posted:

“They fear what they can’t control. Keep grinding, Queen. Real ones know.”

The Broader Impact: What This Tells Us About Women’s Sports and Media

This hoax and its ripple effect offer a clear lesson: women athletes remain disproportionately vulnerable to online misinformation, and often don’t get the benefit of the doubt.

If a male athlete had been targeted with false stats, the first reaction would likely be skepticism, not instant outrage. But for Reese, the hate felt ready and waiting — as if people were just waiting for an excuse to pile on.

Here are three painful truths the hoax reveals:

Misinformation spreads faster when it confirms bias.
Many people already disliked Reese’s outspoken persona — the hoax simply validated their existing prejudice.
Women of color in sports face layered scrutiny.
Angel Reese is not just a female athlete — she’s a successful Black woman in a space still wrestling with inclusion.
The media can be complicit.
Several outlets picked up the story without verifying the data, further amplifying a lie and damaging a player’s reputation.

Resilience and Redemption: What’s Next for Angel Reese?

If history tells us anything, it’s that Angel Reese doesn’t crumble — she climbs. Every time she’s been doubted, she’s responded with excellence. From winning an NCAA title to being a top WNBA draft pick, she has proven that she thrives under pressure.

This latest controversy may sting, but it’s not going to derail her.

Sources close to Reese have said that she’s using the backlash as fuel:

“Angel’s locked in right now. She wants to let her game do the talking.”

Expect her next few games to be explosive. Not just because she has something to prove — but because she’s always had the talent. Now, the spotlight is back on the court, where it belongs.

How the WNBA Is Reacting

The WNBA has not officially commented on the hoax, but several teams and league-affiliated pages have shown support for Reese. Some journalists are also pushing for stronger fact-checking protocols and media accountability when it comes to covering women athletes.

There’s growing pressure for social media platforms to remove the fake posts and issue warnings to repeat offenders. Whether meaningful action is taken remains to be seen — but the conversation is louder than ever.

Final Thoughts: More Than a Hoax — A Cultural Reckoning

What happened to Angel Reese isn’t just a scandal — it’s a reflection of how far we still have to go in how we treat women in sports, particularly Black women who break the mold.

It’s about misinformation, yes. But it’s also about respect. Dignity. Truth.

Angel Reese didn’t ask to be the face of this fight. But once again, she finds herself in the center of a cultural storm. And once again, she’s rising above it — not with apologies, but with excellence.

In the words of one of her most loyal fans:

“They tried to bury her with lies. But they forgot — she’s a seed. And seeds grow stronger under pressure.”