The WNBA season is barely underway, but the drama is already at an all-time high. In a heated and intense debut matchup, former Iowa Hawkeye Kate Martin sent a strong message to Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese—literally and figuratively—when she emphatically swatted Reese’s layup attempt, a moment that has since gone viral.

Never one to back down from confrontation, Reese was visibly frustrated by the block and the trash talk that followed. After the game, she didn’t hold back, calling Martin’s actions “disrespectful” and “crossing the line.”

“This is the pros, not college,” Reese said. “I get competition, I get rivalries, but the way she came at me was straight-up disrespectful.  The league needs to handle it.”

Angel Reese ejected from Unrivaled game: Here's what you need to know

When asked if she was specifically calling for Martin’s removal from the league, Reese doubled down.

“If she’s gonna play like that, then yeah. We don’t need that energy here. There’s a difference between being competitive and being outright disrespectful,” she added.

Kate Martin Is Trending After Decking Angel Reese

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin took their talents to Miami, Florida, for the inaugural season of the new 3-on-3 Unrivaled league.

The two generated tons of buzz during their rookie seasons in the WNBA and are making some noise in the new league as well.

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On Monday night, Reese and the Rose Basketball Club fell to Martin and the Laces Basketball Club 71-64, the fourth game for both squads.

With just under a minute to play in the first quarter and the Laces up 13-12, Reese drove to the hoop and met Martin in the air. As Reese put up the shot, Martin fouled her, sending the former LSU Tigers star crashing to the floor. Reese missed but proceeded to make her one free throw attempt, which is worth two points in Unrivaled.

WNBA fans left their thoughts on the Reese-Martin moment on social media.

“OMG Kate almost sent Barbie back to the bayou,” one fan said.

“No way in hell does Angel Reese score on this if Martin doesn’t foul her…completely out of control,” claimed a second.

“Kate low key revenge fouling Angel,” wrote a third.

“What a flop,” added another.

“Kate has history with Angel…” commented a fifth.


Angel Reese (5) of the Rose Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

In the win over Rose, Martin finished the game with seven points on 3-of-8 shooting and six rebounds. Reese, on the other hand, tallied 17 points on 3-of-5 shooting, seven rebounds and two assists. She also fouled out. Kayla McBride hit the game-winning shot for Laces.

Reese and Martin certainly have a history with each other. In the 2023 NCAAW national championship, Reese and LSU defeated Martin, Caitlin Clark and Iowa 102-85 to take home the title. However, it was Martin and the Hawkeyes who prevailed in the 2024 Elite Eight.

Reese and Martin will meet in Unrivaled once again on Saturday.