Angel Reese has taken a crafty, scrappy and mouthy road to her first ever Game 7 in history.
She has already made her presence heard in the series, taunting Golden State with a “too small” gesture. But Reeses history of making statements stretches back well before her first Finals appearance.
From her championship-game taunts directed at Caitlin Clark in college to public criticism of her own team in Chicago, Reese has repeatedly made headlines with her words and gestures. Those moments have sparked debates over sportsmanship, player treatment and the scrutiny that comes with stardom.
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Reese has, at times, explicitly embraced the attention.
“Ill take the bad guy role,” she said in June 2024, while arguing that she also deserved credit for womens basketballs growing popularity.
As she prepares for Saturdays championship showdown, here is a look back at the trash talk, pointed comments and public clashes that have accompanied her rise.
Much of the world was introduced to Angel Reese at the end of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship.
After her LSU Tigers knocked off Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes, Reese made a gesture that changed the sport forever.
As LSU closed out its 102-85 national championship victory over Iowa, Reese waved her hand in front of her face in Clarks direction, then pointed toward her ring finger. The “you cant see me” gesture, popularized by wrestler John Cena, was one Clark had used during Iowas Elite Eight win over Louisville.
The celebration became a debate of its own. Critics accused Reese of poor sportsmanship, while defenders questioned why her gesture drew backlash when Clarks had been celebrated. Reese, named the Final Fours Most Outstanding Player, stood by it.
“I dont fit in a box that yall want me to be in,” Reese told reporters afterward. “But when other people do it, yall say nothing.”
Clark herself declined to join the criticism.
“I dont think Angel should be criticized at all,” she told ESPN two days later, defending trash talk as part of competition.
Reeses next public clash reached the White House.
A day after LSU won the national championship, then-first lady Jill Biden suggested that runner-up Iowa should also visit the White House, an honor traditionally reserved for the champions.
Reeses response was short: “A JOKE.” She posted it on Twitter with three laughing emojis.
Bidens office subsequently clarified that her suggestion was meant to celebrate the historic game and women athletes, and that she looked forward to hosting LSU. Reese remained unimpressed, referring to that response as an apology during an appearance on the “Paper Route” podcast.
“I dont accept the apology,” Reese said.
She argued that LSU would not have received an invitation had it lost, then offered an alternative destination.
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“They can have that spotlight. Well go to the Obamas. Well see Michelle. Well see Barack.”
President Joe Biden ultimately invited LSU and mens champion Connecticut, without including Iowa. By April 7, Reese said she would attend with her teammates, explaining that she wanted to do what was best for the team.
The episode ended with a
