Key Takeaways:
– The WNBA has defended Angel Reese following criticism for her attendance at the Met Gala.
– Despite the criticism, Reese and the Chicago Sky won their following game against the New York Liberty.
– Reese was dubbed “Chi Town Barbie” by the WNBA, celebrating her return to Chicago and success on the court.
– The Met Gala falls during the WNBA’s preseason games making it rare for players to attend.
– Reese, celebrated her 22nd birthday and juggled her love for basketball and fashion sharing her excitement on her X page.
A recent wave of criticism for Angel Reese – a player for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) – saw the WNBA stepping in for defense. The issue? Reese attended the Met Gala amid the Chicago Sky team’s preparation for the next day’s game.
WNBA Supports Angel Reese
Against expectations, Reese’s Met Gala attendance did not, in fact, impede her performance. A win for the Chicago Sky the following day served to silence critics. After the win and the criticism, the WNBA posted a video of Reese dressed in light green attire returning to Chicago, endearingly referring to her as “Chi Town Barbie”.
The video caption was humorously defensive of Reese’s actions. “Maximising her 24 hours,” the WNBA wrote, “Attended the Met Gala last night, and now the Chi-Town Barbie has arrived for the @chicagosky’s preseason game vs. the Liberty!”
A Balanced Life for Angel Reese
The Chicago Tribune reported that Reese was at Sky practice in Deerfield on Monday morning before leaving early to board a private jet for New York. Despite a hectic schedule and a high-profile event the previous night, Reese was back on the court on Tuesday. She significantly contributed to the Chicago Sky’s victory against the New York Liberty, landing 13 points in the game.
Reese’s achievement of balancing her love for basketball and a personal interest in fashion during her 22nd birthday did not go uncelebrated. “Wow! God is so good! Being able to play the game I love & live my dream in the fashion world all on my 22nd birthday is a blessing,” Reese wrote on her X page.
Audience Response to Angel Reese’s Actions
Reese’s multitasking and success received mixed reactions from her fans and followers. Some praised her for her ability to make the most of each present day. Yet, others expressed concerns about the potential impact of these activities on her game-playing abilities.
The Athletic report noted the rarity for a WNBA player to attend an event like the Met Gala as it typically occurs during preseason games. This year, Reese not only attended but left an impact.
Support from Chicago Sky and WNBA
Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon backed Reese’s early exit from practice. She made it clear that such opportunities were both earned and imperative for their personal growth. There was no question of taking these away from them, she emphasized.
Finally, Reese seemed to silence most of the critics herself. Following her triumphant game against the Liberty, she retweeted a fan’s comment countering the criticism: “Delete all y’all drafts about Angel Reese that said ‘she’s gonna get cooked tonight and should’ve been in practice longer instead of the Met’. My sis made y’all haters look silly tonight.”