In a fiery segment that has sent shockwaves through both the sports world and social media, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith took direct aim at Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, accusing her of bullying, envy, and playing dirty in her ongoing rivalry with Caitlin Clark. The remarks came after another viral moment in which Reese appeared to mock Clark during a WNBA game, reigniting a feud that began during their college days at LSU and Iowa, respectively.
“Angel Reese is not a victim — she’s a bully,” Smith declared during an emotionally charged monologue on First Take. “She wants the spotlight, she wants the fame, but the way she’s going about it? It reeks of jealousy. This isn’t about competition anymore; it’s about tearing someone else down because you can’t handle their rise.”
Smith, who has long been a vocal advocate for women’s basketball, shocked many by turning his criticism toward Reese, who had previously been praised for her unapologetic confidence and bold personality. But now, according to Smith, that confidence has morphed into something darker — a calculated attempt to villainize Clark and position herself as the league’s anti-hero.
“This isn’t how you build a career. This is how you destroy one before it even begins,” he warned. “Reese has the talent. No one questions that. But when your focus shifts from improving your game to manufacturing drama and stirring controversy, you lose the respect of your peers, your coaches, and the fans.”
The incident that triggered Smith’s response involved Reese taunting Clark after a hard foul, followed by a series of not-so-subtle social media posts that many interpreted as shots at the Indiana Fever star. Critics argue that Reese is obsessed with Clark’s meteoric popularity and endorsement success, which has eclipsed that of many established WNBA players — including Reese herself.
Online reactions to Smith’s rant were explosive. Supporters of Reese defended her as a confident Black woman unfairly targeted for expressing herself, while others agreed with Smith, stating that her antics were becoming a distraction from actual basketball.
Even some former players chimed in. “Trash talk is part of the game,” one WNBA veteran tweeted. “But when it’s nonstop and feels personal, it starts to backfire.”
Meanwhile, Reese remains defiant. In a recent interview, she dismissed the criticism as “media noise” and claimed she was simply being herself. “They want me to be quiet. They want me to bow down. I’m not doing that,” she said.
Still, questions remain: is Angel Reese being misunderstood, or is she actively sabotaging her own path by leaning into a villain role too soon? Stephen A. Smith believes the latter — and if the backlash continues to grow, the road ahead for Reese may be far rougher than she ever anticipated.
