Social media erupted recently after a post from Chennedy Carter, the 26-year-old WNBA star, seemed to take a jab at fellow player Angel Reese, sparking confusion and speculation among fans. The confusion was especially surprising given the apparent camaraderie between the two athletes earlier in the season. However, Carter swiftly moved to clear up the misunderstanding, clarifying that her comments were meant to reflect on her own game, not to criticize Reese.

Carter, a talented guard, has found herself at a crossroads in her career after the Chicago Sky chose not to extend a qualifying offer for the 2025 season, effectively ending her time with the team. While it was expected that Carter’s departure from the Sky would come with an air of sadness—especially after her bond with Reese seemed to grow throughout the season—things didn’t go quite as anticipated. Fans were shocked when Carter posted a comment on social media that many interpreted as a critique of Reese’s play.

The comment, which referenced making layups and placing players in another “tier,” seemed to be a veiled reference to Reese, who had struggled with her own layup consistency during the season. The timing of the post, just as Carter was entering free agency, only added fuel to the fire, with many fans assuming it was a passive-aggressive swipe at Reese, who had been a close teammate throughout the season.

In a bid to address the growing speculation, Chennedy Carter took to social media to clarify her remarks. The guard expressed regret over how her post was perceived, emphasizing that her words were meant to reflect her own self-pressure to improve, rather than to criticize another player. She directly addressed Sky fans, saying, “Angel is a special player. I love watching her. This season, we had a great relationship. And I don’t feel like the way things went on Twitter, it shouldn’t have went like that. I was specifically speaking of me.”

Carter further explained that her focus was on her own game and the areas she felt she needed to improve. “I’m a valuable player because the closest shot on the court is the layup or the mid-range and that’s what I specialize in doing,” she added, reinforcing that the message was about her personal goals for the 2025 season.

Despite the brief misunderstanding, Carter has remained gracious when reflecting on her time with the Chicago Sky. After a difficult year in 2023, when she was waived by the Los Angeles Sparks due to “poor conduct,” Carter found a second chance with the Sky. She repaid the team’s faith in her with strong performances, including an impressive average of 17.5 points per game, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

Carter also proved to be one of the league’s best at finishing around the rim, ranking second in layup percentage among players under 5’10”. Her contributions on and off the court revitalized her career and allowed her to showcase her true potential.

Reflecting on her time with the Sky, Carter expressed her gratitude to the organization: “I came to a new organization, I was embraced. I was loved. I came from playing eight minutes to playing a lot, doing a lot of things for the organization that I really love and respect for giving me the opportunity. The narratives of me being unhappy and this and that can’t possibly be true.”

Her heartfelt thanks to the Sky organization highlighted just how much the opportunity meant to her, especially after facing significant adversity in her career. Carter’s journey has been one of resilience and growth, and her time with the Sky allowed her to rebuild her confidence and prove her worth in the league.

As a free agent, Carter’s future in the WNBA is now uncertain, but her talent and strong showing in 2024 will certainly make her a sought-after asset for other teams. The layup specialist is expected to continue to work on improving her game, particularly in terms of consistency and expanding her skill set, as she prepares for what comes next in her career.

Despite the occasional social media misstep, Carter’s path forward appears bright. Whether she remains in Chicago or moves on to another team, she will undoubtedly have a strong impact wherever she lands. Her openness, humility, and determination to be better on and off the court will serve her well as she continues to navigate the ups and downs of professional basketball.

As for Angel Reese, it seems that any potential tension between the two players has been resolved, with Carter making it clear that their relationship remains strong. Moving forward, both athletes will continue to shape the future of women’s basketball, and it’s clear that they each have the potential to leave an indelible mark on the sport.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the WNBA, Chennedy Carter’s story serves as a reminder that not everything is as it seems on social media. It’s a powerful example of the importance of clarity and communication, particularly when dealing with misunderstandings in the public eye. As for Carter, her resilience and focus on her game will likely see her overcome any hurdles that come her way in the coming season.