Sometimes, even superstar athletes aren’t immune to the grip of boredom. Just ask Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, who found herself with nothing to do on a quiet Friday night, only for things to take a dramatic turn on social media with a single spicy post that quickly went viral. Reese, known for her on-court dominance and off-court charisma, turned an uneventful evening into a social media frenzy — and all it took was one clapback.
The WNBA offseason can be a slow period for many players, but Reese has managed to stay firmly in the spotlight through her numerous endeavors beyond the basketball court.
From taking the stage at ComplexCon to talk about her growing net worth to hosting giveaways of her sponsored products and even being named Style Influencer of the Year, Reese’s career trajectory is continuing upward, with no signs of slowing down.
Her relentless drive and versatility have made her a favorite among fans, as she’s proven herself to be much more than just a talented athlete.
Arguably one of Reese’s biggest achievements off the court has been the success of her podcast, “Unapologetically Angel.” The show has been a hit, providing her with a platform to speak her mind, interview fascinating guests, and connect with fans on a more personal level. On a rare Friday night when the Chicago weather kept her indoors, Reese decided to jump on X (formerly Twitter) to give her followers a little preview of the latest episode, which featured college basketball sensation Mikey Williams.
But as often happens in the world of social media, not everyone was impressed by Reese’s attempt to hype her content. One follower, clearly irked by Reese’s post, decided to throw some shade her way. The critic took aim at her celebration of reaching 200,000 views for her latest podcast episode.
“Why is Angel Reese bragging about 200k views,” asked the follower, clearly trying to downplay her achievement.
Reese, however, was not in the mood to let it slide. She decided she had time for the critic, delivering a response that left her fans buzzing. “Same reason you follow me & I don’t follow you back. Clock that,” Reese fired back, adding a lips emoji for good measure. It was a blunt and unapologetic clapback that perfectly fit the tone of her podcast’s name.
Within just a couple of hours, Reese’s response had already garnered over 100,000 views and 150 replies on X. The post had ignited a wave of reactions, with some of her fans enthusiastically egging her on, applauding her for standing up to the critic. “Tell ’em, Angel!” one follower wrote, while another chimed in, “This is why we love you, unapologetically you.”
On the other hand, some fans weren’t as impressed, taking to the comments to express their disappointment and suggesting that perhaps the WNBA star was above engaging with online haters.
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But Reese wasn’t quite done yet. Less than a minute later, she fired off another post, one that suggested a slight hint of regret while also giving fans a glimpse of her thought process. “I’m bored lmaoo let me get off this app before my team cuss me out,” she wrote, punctuating the message with a pair of crying emojis. It was a candid admission that perhaps her restlessness had led her to react a bit too quickly.
Whether she was referring to her public relations team or her new basketball teammates in the Unrivaled league, which includes a familiar face from Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever, was unclear. But it seemed evident that Reese realized she might be courting trouble if she stayed online much longer.
Angel Reese’s activity on social media has always been an extension of her personality: bold, unfiltered, and never afraid to speak her mind. It’s part of what has endeared her to her fans and made her such a compelling figure in the sports world.
Even when she’s not on the basketball court, Reese manages to capture attention, whether it’s through her outspoken commentary, her stylish appearances, or her commitment to promoting women’s sports.
This latest incident was just another example of Reese being unapologetically herself — even if it meant engaging with a critic on social media. It’s not the first time a high-profile athlete has decided to fire back at a hater, and it certainly won’t be the last.
In an age where athletes are increasingly choosing to be vocal and present on social media, Reese’s actions fit right in with the trend of players taking ownership of their narratives and pushing back against the negativity that can often come with being in the public eye.
However, Reese’s decision to quickly step back and acknowledge her boredom-induced impulse also showed a level of self-awareness that not all athletes possess. She recognized that, in the heat of the moment, it might be best to disengage before things escalated any further.
After all, Reese has plenty on her plate, from preparing for the upcoming WNBA season to continuing to grow her brand off the court.
Engaging in a back-and-forth with critics on social media isn’t exactly the most productive use of her time — a fact she seemed to realize just as quickly as she had initially reacted.
As for her supporters, they know that Angel Reese’s energy and passion are what make her who she is. She’s a fierce competitor on the court and equally fierce when it comes to defending herself and her accomplishments.
And if that means occasionally clapping back at a troll on social media, so be it. It’s all part of the package with Angel Reese, a player who is determined to be herself, regardless of what anyone else might think.
So, while her Friday night may have started as a dull affair, it certainly didn’t end that way. Instead, it turned into yet another memorable moment in the ongoing saga of Angel Reese — a player who is as captivating off the court as she is on it.
And if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that Angel Reese won’t be silenced, no matter how many critics come her way. She’ll continue to speak her truth, both through her podcast and on social media, making sure that her voice is heard loud and clear. After all, that’s what it means to be “Unapologetically Angel.”