Angel Reese of LSU explained her gesture towards Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes, following the Tigers’ NCAA women’s basketball championship victory. She emphasized that she does not take disrespect lightly. The gesture, reminiscent of John Cena’s “you can’t see me,” was interpreted by some as a reference to the championship ring she had just won.
The incident has ignited a debate on social media, with some criticizing Reese while others have defended her actions considering Clark’s similar gesture earlier in the tournament. Sports journalist Jose de Jesus Ortiz labeled Reese’s actions as “classless,” and Keith Olbermann went as far as calling her an “idiot.”
During the post-game press conference, Reese addressed the disparity in reactions to her gesture as compared to Clark’s. She expressed that her actions were a form of empowerment, especially for those who identify with her, and highlighted the importance of being unapologetically authentic.
Reese, who contributed significantly to the Tigers’ victory with 15 points and 10 rebounds, was awarded the Most Outstanding Player of the women’s March Madness tournament. She also referenced Clark’s behavior in previous games, indicating that she doesn’t tolerate disrespect, particularly towards her teammates.
In response, Clark praised LSU and their coach Kim Mulkey, mentioning the positive interaction she had with them during the handshake line after the game. On the other hand, Coach Mulkey stated that she was unaware of the incident involving Reese and Clark.
Defenders of Reese, including ESPN’s Holly Rowe and former NBA player Etan Thomas, suggested that confident young women like Reese and Clark should be celebrated rather than criticized. Reese acknowledged that the criticism she received throughout the season served as motivation, leading to her exceptional performance on the court.
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