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Angel Reese was ejected on Tuesday during the Chicago Sky's 88-75 loss to the New York Liberty. The ejection received some backlash, with Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball even offering to pay any potential fine for Reese.
The moment in the game led many to wonder why Reese was ejected in the first place.
Video via Barstool Sports:
Angel Reese has been ejected from tonight’s gamepic.twitter.com/4XSjQu1UUy
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 5, 2024
While walking away, Reese appeared to dismiss the official by waving her hand. But would that be enough to warrant an ejection?
According to the official, it certainly played a role, via Michael Voepel of ESPN.
“Lead official Maj Forsberg told reporters after the game that Reese's technical fouls were for ‘disrespectfully addressing' the official and then for ‘waving her hand in dismissal,'” Voepel wrote for ESPN.
It should be noted that it was her second technical of the game.
The official clearly felt disrespected by Angel Reese's words and actions. People will debate whether or not she should have received a technical, but Sky star Marina Mabrey made an important point after the game, via Voepel as well.
“She got two techs, she said something to the ref,” Mabrey said. “Whatever he felt like was the correct call is what he made. It's more about composure for us in our young years in the WNBA. You've got to get to know refs and how they respond to things.”
Reese is a young star in the WNBA. She features a high-ceiling to say the least. Tuesday's ejection will serve as a learning experience for the Sky rookie.
Angel Reese's WNBA career so far
Reese is averaging 10.9 points per game across eight WNBA contests so far. She is also averaging 9.0 rebounds per outing. Reese has been rather inefficient with her shot, recording just a 33.8 field goal percentage so far. Nevertheless, she has displayed signs of stardom.
Reese also wants credit for helping to grow women's basketball. Caitlin Clark has received much attention during the 2024 campaign, with many claiming that she is the reason why both women's basketball in college and the WNBA have seen growth. There is no question that Clark has played a pivotal role, but Reese doesn't want it to be forgotten that she's also helped the growth of women's basketball.
“It all started from the national championship game and I've been dealing with this for two years now,” Reese said on Monday, via GNSports TV. “Negative things have probably been said about me. Honestly, I'll take that because look where women's basketball is. People are talking about women's basketball that you would never think would be talking about women's basketball… Just because of one single game.
“I'll take that role, I'll take the bad guy role. And I'll continue to take that on and be that for my teammates… I know I'll go down in history. I'll look back in 20 years and be like, the reason why we are watching women's basketball is not just because of one person. It's because of me too and I want y'all to realize that.”
Reese's impact on the game
It cannot be denied that Reese has made a big impact on the game. Clark certainly deserves her share of credit as well, but both players have helped the growth of not just women's basketball, but women's sports with their incredible popularity.
Angel Reese's comments drew praise from some and backlash from others. Either way, she makes a valid point.
As for the ejection, Reese said that she is willing to “take the bad guy role.” Still, the Sky are hopeful that ejections will not become a common occurrence for her. After all, Chicago currently has a 3-5 record and they will need Reese on the floor in order to climb over the .500 mark.
