Angel Reese battles cyberbullying after national championship
- Angel Reese revealed her struggle with cyberbullying after gaining fame from a national championship.
- Kelsey Mitchell highlighted the negativity directed towards Reese, calling for respect among players.
- The WNBA's investigation found no evidence of hateful comments, emphasizing a commitment to a positive environment.
In 2023, following the national championship game, Angel Reese, a Chicago Sky star and former LSU player, faced significant cyberbullying and online harassment. This negative attention escalated after she gained fame from her rivalry with Caitlin Clark, a phenom in women's basketball. Reese revealed in an interview with ESPN that the strain from the backlash transformed her life and made her more vulnerable to the harsh realities of social media. In light of these experiences, she has launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness about cyberbullying, focusing on supporting those who may not have the same resilience she has developed. At a recent WNBA All-Star game, Kelsey Mitchell, a teammate of Caitlin Clark, addressed the troubling treatment Angel Reese has received. During the media session, she commented on the perceived negativity directed toward Reese, emphasizing the need for respect and decency within the sport. Mitchell asserted that Reese is a talented player both on and off the court, encouraging fans and fellow players to uplift one another rather than engage in bullying. Despite these claims of harassment, the WNBA conducted an investigation into alleged hateful comments directed towards Reese during one of the games. However, the league concluded that there was no evidence to substantiate the claims made against fans. The Indiana Fever, the team involved, expressed appreciation for the WNBA's prompt investigation, indicating that their facility is a place where hate speech is intolerable. WNBA officials confirmed that the investigation included inputs from fans, staff, and a review of game footage. On the other side, Reese has previously mentioned experiencing racism from opposing fans, reflecting the ongoing challenges she faces. In her efforts to combat the negativity, she has expressed a newfound commitment to give back to the community, aiming to turn her troublesome experiences into a positive influence for those less resilient. As Reese prepares for her second WNBA All-Star Game, she acknowledges the support from teammates and the importance of fostering sisterhood among players, further demonstrating her growth through adversity.