Angel Reese: The Unbreakable Trailblazer Redefining Unity in Sports

Written By: By Jackie Rae

In a country that’s more divided than ever, “unity” feels like a distant, almost mythical concept. In order to have unity, several people must be willing to act with kindness, move with empathy, and embrace equality. If women’s basketball is a reflection of our country, we are light-years away from finding anything close to that.

Instead, we’re often left hoping for those rare figures who, despite unwarranted hate and persistent bias, shine with unapologetic pride. Enter Angle Reese.

At the age of 21, Reese had to assume this role with grace and intensity beyond her years. During the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, her “You can’t see me” gesture, directed at Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, ignited a firestorm of criticism rooted in racial double standards. Clark made the same gesture in previous games but was celebrated for her competitive spirit. But when Reese did it, the praise turned to condemnation.

The moment exposed the double standard Black women in sports often face, even as their talent and achievements are critical to every game they elevate.

Anyone paying close attention knew what would follow: a relentless storm of hate in the subsequent WNBA season. Reese entered the league with the Chicago Sky and stepped into a space that prides itself on diversity and inclusivity, yet one far from immune to bias and discrimination. Watching the narrative unfold, I raised concerns about Clark’s silence amid racist remarks from her fanbase. Again and again, I was told, “Give her grace. She’s only 22.” The translation: let Clark grow into the maturity needed to confront these issues. Meanwhile, Reese—also 22—was expected not just to rise above the hate but to embody the ideal of resilience without protest, all to avoid discomfort among her White counterparts.

But Reese refused to shrink. Fierce and unyielding, she became the example that has empowered Black women, young and old, to say “Hell no” to the expectation of silence. She didn’t just persevere; she thrived, demanding the spotlight she’s more than earned.

Reese made history this season. She announced her intent to join the WNBA not in a press release but with a statement in Vogue—an unprecedented move that spoke volumes about her vision. Days after her first practice with the Chicago Sky, Reese turned heads at the Met Gala, draped in a seafoam-green gown by Italian luxury brand 16Arlington, meticulously styled by Vogue editor Naomi Elizee. Seated with icons like Dwyane Wade and Cardi B, Reese was at ease among basketball and cultural legends long before her debut as the newly anointed “Chi-Town Barbie.”

Her rookie season was nothing short of legendary. She made the WNBA All-Rookie and All-Star teams, led the league in rebounds, and set records for the most consecutive double-doubles (15) and single-season double-doubles (26). Reese recorded three consecutive games with 20 or more rebounds, a feat never before accomplished in WNBA history. She became the first rookie in Chicago Sky history to score in double figures in each of her first five games.

Her leadership helped her teammate Chennedy Carter, a player often sidelined by prior teams, find comfort and deliver one of her best seasons.

And she’s just getting started. Modeling deals, brand partnerships, a signature shoe in development, and her podcast Unapologetically Angel—where she sits down with guests like Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes—cement her as an influencer in every sense. Reese has carved a space for herself that goes far beyond the court, echoing Beyoncé’s sentiment: “The best revenge is your paper!”

Reese’s success story isn’t without its challenges, as the racist vitriol she’s endured is likely far from over. But her resolve is unmatched, her talent undeniable, and her platform is growing by the day.

For the WNBA, her teammates, her community, and her fans, standing behind her isn’t just about supporting one player. It’s about standing up for fairness, unity, and the right for Black women to take up space unapologetically.

In a world that desperately needs unity, Angel Reese reminds us that true unity isn’t a compromise—it’s a commitment. In her remarkable journey, she shows us all how to rise above.