BREAKING NEWS: “They Don’t Respect Me Just Because I’m Black” — Angel Reese Angrily Considers Retirement Amid Widespread Disrespect, Mental Health Struggles

In a shocking and emotional press conference that has sent ripples throughout the sports world, WNBA star Angel Reese expressed raw pain and deep frustration over what she calls a “relentless cycle of disrespect and racism” within the league and broader basketball community. The 22-year-old Chicago Sky forward, known for her fierce competitiveness and unapologetic personality, is now considering walking away from the game altogether — a heartbreaking prospect for fans who have followed her meteoric rise.

 

Fighting back tears, Reese delivered a powerful statement that began as a candid address to the media but evolved into a soul-baring reflection on her career, her identity, and her mental health.

 

“They don’t respect me just because I’m Black,” Reese said, her voice trembling. “I’ve tried to hold it in, but I can’t anymore.”

 

The room fell silent as she paused, clearly overwhelmed. After a moment, she choked up and delivered five words that left fans, teammates, and even members of the press stunned and emotional:

 

“I don’t feel safe anymore.”

 

 

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A Star Under Fire

 

Angel Reese burst onto the national scene during her time at LSU, where she helped lead the Tigers to a national championship and became a cultural icon, drawing attention both for her elite talent and her confident demeanor. Known as the “Bayou Barbie,” Reese shattered stereotypes and inspired a new generation of athletes — particularly young Black girls — to embrace their identities unapologetically.

 

But with her rapid ascent came an equal and opposite wave of scrutiny. Reese has faced a barrage of online abuse, microaggressions, and criticisms — many of which she and others argue are racially motivated. From pundits questioning her attitude, to viral social media debates unfairly comparing her to white counterparts like Caitlin Clark, the double standards have never gone unnoticed.

 

“I’m tired of being the villain just for being myself,” Reese said. “When I show passion, I’m ‘angry.’ When others do it, they’re ‘competitive.’ Why is it different when it’s me?”

 

 

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Mental Health in the Spotlight

 

Reese’s comments highlight a broader, ongoing conversation about mental health in sports — especially among women and people of color. Over the past few years, high-profile athletes like Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, and Kevin Love have spoken out about the toll professional sports can take on mental well-being.

 

For Reese, the relentless criticism and lack of support have begun to feel personal — and dangerous.

 

“I wake up every day dreading what’s going to be said about me online or on TV,” she said. “I’ve been strong for so long, but even strong people break.”

 

She went on to say that her mental health has reached a critical point, and that she is seriously considering stepping away from the game — possibly for good.

 

“If walking away is what I need to protect my peace, then maybe that’s what I need to do.”

 

 

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A League-Wide Reckoning

 

Reese’s emotional statement has already sparked immediate reactions across the WNBA and sports world. Fellow players have voiced their support, while also echoing her frustrations with how Black women are treated in professional sports.

 

Teammate and WNBA veteran Kahleah Copper tweeted, “Protect Angel at all costs. She’s not lying. We feel this every day.”

 

Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie weighed in as well, posting, “Angel Reese is saying what so many of us have felt. It’s time the league and the media take a hard look at their role in this.”

 

Even Caitlin Clark, often positioned as Reese’s rival by the media, issued a statement saying, “Angel is an incredible competitor and deserves the same respect as anyone else. What she’s experiencing is not okay.”

 

The WNBA Players Association has reportedly reached out to Reese and is working on a formal response. League officials have yet to comment publicly, but sources say conversations about race, media treatment, and mental health are expected to be front and center at the next league meeting.

 

 

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Fans in Shock, Mourning the Possibility

 

Social media exploded within minutes of Reese’s press conference. #StandWithAngel quickly trended on X (formerly Twitter), with thousands sharing personal stories, messages of support, and frustration with how Reese has been treated.

 

“She’s done more for women’s basketball in two years than some have in a lifetime, and this is how she’s treated?” one user wrote.

 

Another fan said, “If Angel Reese walks away, it’s not because she was weak. It’s because we failed her.”

 

 

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The Future in Doubt

 

As of now, Angel Reese has not officially announced her retirement, but sources close to her say she is taking a step back from public appearances and may sit out upcoming games. In her press conference, she expressed a desire to focus on her well-being and reassess what truly matters to her.

 

“I love this game. It’s all I’ve ever known. But I can’t keep sacrificing my sanity for applause that never comes.”

 

If she does choose to retire, even temporarily, it will mark a stunning turn in what was supposed to be one of the brightest careers in WNBA history.

 

 

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A Call to Action

 

Reese’s story is more than a personal crisis — it’s a warning sign about the state of sports culture, the treatment of Black women, and the pressures athletes face behind the scenes.

 

Her bravery in speaking out has sparked an important moment of reflection, and potentially, change.

 

“I just want to be seen. To be heard. To be respected,” Reese said through tears. “That’s all.”

 

Whether she returns to the court or not, Angel Reese has already changed the game — and the conversation — forever.