The drama in the American female basketball village is hotter than ever when Angel Reese, the star of Chicago Sky, is heavily criticized by veteran sports journalist Dan Patrick. In a recent broadcast of the program “The Dan Patrick Show”, Patrick did not hesitate to call Reese “the worst player in history” and thought that she was living in “unbelievable illusions”. These harsh comments quickly spread on social networks, especially on X, where fans divided into two mixed opinions. Some agreed with Patrick, saying that Reese has not shown a stable performance since joining WNBA, while others protect her, emphasizing that Reese is still a young talent with potential for development.

Refusing to be silent at the criticism, Angel Reese had a backlash. In an Instagram post, she called Patrick’s comments “ridiculous” and “disrespectful”, and threatened to file a lawsuit because they thought these statements defamed her honor. Reese also recalled her achievements at LSU, where she helped the team win the NCAA championship in 2023, to confirm that she was not the “worst player” as Patrick commented. However, this only made fierce controversy, when some fans thought that Reese was trying to rely on the glory of the past instead of proving themselves in the professional arena.

In this context, Reese’s image was even more affected when she was compared to other stars like Caitlin Clark of Indiana Fever, who had an impressive season and was considered a direct opponent of Reese from college. A remarkable moment in the match between LSU and Iowa at the NCAA in 2023, when Reese took action “Ring Gesture” (raised his hand to make a ring) in front of Clark, was dug and became the focus of discussion. Many people believe that this action shows Reese’s arrogance, while she and her supporters consider it a manifestation of confidence and competition spirit.

The incident between Reese and Patrick not only heated sports forums but also asked the question about how young athletes faced pressure from the media and the public. Can Angel Reese be overcome criticism to prove her value on the stage, or will she continue to be caught up in the scandal on the sidelines? The answer will probably be revealed in the upcoming matches of WNBA, when the 2025 season officially started in May. At this time, fans are still waiting for official feedback from both sides, and this drama will certainly be an exciting topic in the near future.