Once again, Angel Reese has found herself at the center of the WNBA spotlight — and not for the right reasons. Following her latest on-court moment involving Caitlin Clark, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has had enough. In a fiery segment on First Take, the outspoken analyst didn’t just criticize Reese — he called out the entire WNBA.
“Enough is enough,” Smith said. “Y’all wanna talk about equality, growth, ratings — but when one player brings in millions of new fans, she gets targeted? That’s not how you grow the game.”
🎯 A Message Directly Aimed at Angel Reese
Smith didn’t mince words. He openly accused Angel Reese of turning her rivalry with Caitlin Clark into something toxic, saying:
“This is no longer about competition. It’s becoming personal. And that’s a dangerous game.”
Reese’s latest “stunt” — a hard foul or overly aggressive moment during a matchup with Clark — has reignited the heated debate around how the league is treating its rising stars, especially those who bring massive attention and new fans.
🤐 Silence From the WNBA
What frustrated Smith even more was the lack of response from WNBA officials. He pointed out how the league has stayed silent amid rising tension, flagrant fouls, and growing online division between fan bases.
“Where’s the leadership? Where’s the accountability? You’ve got a rookie putting the league on the map again, and instead of protecting that energy, you’re letting it get poisoned.”
💬 Fans Are Divided
The internet has exploded with reactions. While some defend Reese’s intensity as part of the game, others agree with Smith — warning that unchecked aggression and drama could hurt the league’s long-term credibility and potential.
At the heart of it all is a simple but crucial question:
Is the WNBA ready to embrace the spotlight it’s finally getting — or will internal drama and silence from leadership tear it all down?