Katt Williams Takes Shot at Angel Reese on Podcast, But the WNBA Star Keeps Scoring Off the Court

Comedian Katt Williams isn’t one to shy away from controversy, especially if there’s a punchline on the table. The Emmy-winning standup and actor, who famously roasted his fellow comics on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast last year, brought his trademark pointed humor to a new target this week: Angel Reese, Chicago Sky forward and breakout star of the WNBA.

Appearing on Carmelo Anthony’s ‘7PM in Brooklyn’ podcast, Williams sprinkled some good-natured self-deprecation into the discussion — but not without a not-so-subtle dig at Reese’s on-court performance.

“I’m 5’5, so I don’t have any above-the-rim experience,” Williams admitted, owning up to his vertical limitations with a laugh. “But I’m not Angel Reese — I’m 99% on my layups because I can’t afford to miss them. My layup is my dunk.”

It was vintage Katt Williams: biting, clever, and sure to turn heads — especially as the women’s basketball world continues to swell in visibility and talent, with Reese at the epicenter.

Angel Reese: More Than a Meme

Reese, only in her second year in the WNBA, has already faced her fair share of criticism and hype. She was selected 7th overall by the Chicago Sky after leading LSU to a national championship and, along the way, becoming a symbol for self-confidence (and viral taunts). In the pros, Reese carved out a reputation for tenacious rebounding, relentless hustle, and — as her detractors often note — a tendency to rack up offensive boards by hauling in her own misses.

That “flaw” became the fodder for internet jokes, most famously the “Mebounds” meme: a play on “my rebounds,” poking fun at how often Reese grabs her own errant layups.

But Reese, a savvy marketer and fearless self-promoter, has flipped the script. Instead of fighting the narrative, she embraced it, making “MEBounds” her personal brand, trademarking the phrase, and launching a successful merch line featuring the slogan.

That transformation from online punchline to business opportunity is vintage modern athlete behavior in the age of NIL (name, image, and likeness) and social media monetization. Still, Williams’ latest jab is another example of how scrutiny — and sometimes ridicule — tail the WNBA’s rising stars.

Katt Williams: Truth-Teller or Just Trolling?

For his part, Williams’ joke wasn’t exactly mean-spirited — especially given his candor about his own hardwood shortcomings. The comedian has never claimed to be a baller and, at just 5’5”, he lacks both the height and hops for above-the-rim heroics. With a sheepish grin, he made it clear that, for guys his size, missed layups just aren’t an option.

“I don’t have a second chance up there,” he chuckled. “That’s my dunk — and I gotta put it down.”

The bit resonated, in part, because it highlighted a universal truth for smaller, scrappier players: make the most of your chances, or get left behind. It also kept things mostly good-natured in tone, a far cry from Williams’ headline-grabbing feuds with fellow comics. But the viral moment still reignited online chatter around Reese’s finishing ability and her resilience in handling public critique.

Why Angel Reese Remains Essential to the W’s Growth

The conversation around Reese’s missed layups — and her unique skillset — points to something larger at play within women’s basketball. She’s not just an excellent rebounder; she’s a record-breaker. In her rookie year with the Sky, Reese set league records for consecutive double-doubles, and in college, she dominated the boards like few before her. Her charisma and confidence have made her one of the most recognizable faces in the WNBA, helping drive TV ratings and ticket sales.

Her commercial savvy is even more remarkable. Reese has inked endorsement deals with Reebok, Raising Cane’s, Amazon, and more. She was among the first players to fully capitalize on the power of NIL, and she’s adept at turning perceived slights into sellable moments. The “MEBounds” merch line is just one example; after John Cena mimicked her signature “You Can’t See Me” move, Reese doubled down on her brand identity.

“She understands the game both on the hardwood and off it,” says Joakim Noah, the former Bulls star who now covers the WNBA for ESPN. “Her ability to take criticism and not only rise above it, but profit from it, that’s pretty unique in all of sports.”

Cultural Reactions: Fans, Critics, and Social Media Firestorms

Predictably, Williams’ comments set off fresh social debate. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, fans ping-ponged between defending Reese’s unique skillset and roasting her finishing stats. Some praised her for rebounding like a “human vacuum,” others invoked her double-digit miss games as proof Williams was onto something.

But just as quickly, supporters unearthed a now-viral photo of Reese flushing a contested layup in traffic, shutting down haters and drawing fire emojis in the comments. “Keep that same energy!” one fan wrote, tagging both Williams and the Sky’s official account.

It’s this never-ending swirl — argument, joke, clapback, viral photo, new meme — that showcases the uniquely modern experience of being Angel Reese, or really any WNBA star of her stature. “In the social media era,” says Dr. Cheryl Cooky, a Purdue sports sociologist, “athletes like Reese are both amplified and scrutinized in unprecedented ways. Katt’s joke is just another prompt for a bigger conversation.”

What’s Next: Turning Jokes into Gold

Not every jab can be turned into revenue — at least not immediately. Despite Williams’ “above-the-rim experience” punchline trending, there’s no indication Reese will rush to trademark his joke the way she did with “MEBounds.” But don’t count her out. The Sky star has already capitalized on moments like these, and as her profile continues to rise, more opportunities seem inevitable.

Perhaps most tellingly, Reese landed on the cover of the newly announced WNBA Edition of NBA 2K26, an honor that cements her as more than just a meme — she’s a generational talent, and a marketable one at that.

“I just play with a chip on my shoulder every night,” Reese recently told NBC Chicago. “People are going to talk — that’s fine. I’m going to keep rebounding, keep working, and keep collecting wins.”

And, if history is any indicator, she’ll keep finding ways to turn every shot — and every shot taken at her — into money, momentum, and motivation. Maybe she’ll even find time to throw Katt a signed “MEBounds” hoodie, just for laughs.

Bottom line? In a world where everybody’s got jokes, Angel Reese knows how to get the last laugh — and the last rebound.