Ahairline fracture in her left wrist has brought a premature end to Angel Reese‘s rookie season in the WNBA. Reese had a record-breaking debut season for the Chicago Sky, who remain in the fight for a playoff spot without her — but the former NCAA champion with LSU still has plenty of detractors working against her.
Tha analyst who is arguably Reese’s most prominent critic continues to lead the charge against her after throwing his support behind Indiana Fever point guard Caitlin Clark — Reese’s collegiate rival. Even with Reese done for the year following her wrist injury, bad-faith debate continues as those away from the court unfavorably compare the two rookies.
Jason Whitlock slams Reese and her “highlight-free” rookie season
Jason Whitlock — the former ESPN personality now found at conservative news outlet The Blaze — ripped Reese on X/Twitter in an effort to push back against the characterization of Reese’s rookie season as “unforgettable.” Whitlock sarcastically asked his followers to find highlights from “Chi-Town Barbie” in 2024, and continued to insist that her “single basketball highlight” remains “taunting” Clark during LSU’s win over Iowa in the 2023 national championship game.
For most fans, it is easy to satisfy curiosity about what Reese achieved in her maiden season. After heading to Chicago as the seventh overall pick in April’s draft, Reese quickly shattered the league record for consecutive double-doubles and total rebounds in a season.
Though she struggled with her shot and claimed some of those rebounds by cleaning up her misses around the rim, Reese has won a ton of praise for her motor, tenacity, and nose for the ball — exciting basketball fans in a different way than Clark, who impresses with her smooth playmaking and lethal shooting.
Reese has proven time and time again that hatred only fuels her. Even though her 2024 season is done, the 22-year-old’s WNBA story is just beginning — and the improvement in her game from year one to year two could shock many, including Whitlock.