Angel Reese Faces Unfair Criticism During Rookie Season

Among the standout rookies in the current WNBA season, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has received unexpected backlash from some fans, who labeled her as one of the “worst players in the league”. Despite her impressive stats, critics have focused on her offensive efficiency and turnovers, fueling online debates.

Reese continues to lead the league with an average of 11.7 rebounds per game. However, she fell short of securing a spot in the top 10 of the 2025 WNBA All-Star fan voting, amassing 173,363 votes and ranking 13th—well behind Caitlin Clark, who led with over 500,000 votes. This snub surprised many supporters, who believed her on-court impact warranted inclusion.

Online, reactions were harsh, with some critics mocking her social media efforts to garner votes. Reese responded calmly, urging fans to vote more and emphasizing resilience and confidence. She has chosen not to engage directly with negativity, letting her performance on the court speak for itself.

In recent games, Reese has been averaging 14.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, demonstrating her continued growth and adaptability this season. Critics argue that her lower offensive start contributed to her All-Star exclusion, highlighting ongoing debates about popularity versus performance.

Many fans defended Reese, pointing out that the intense criticism may be rooted in bias, especially since she remains a strong rebounder and defensive presence. Discussions on social media platforms suggest that her exclusion from the All-Star game is more about perceptions than her actual impact on the court.

Despite the setbacks, Reese’s resilience and improving stats indicate she is far from finished. Whether she makes the All-Star team this year or not, she continues to be a formidable force in the league, already proving her critics wrong and steadily building her legacy.