NCAAW/WNBA: Angel Reese – A Perspective

But as Angel said in her post-game presser, “I’m still a human.” She’s right. She is just a human, and with that comes all the flaws, mistakes, and short-sightedness that every human must, at some point in their lives, endure. To say that you’re still going to be you, that you’re not going to change may sound good for the press corps and may give you the appearance of great strength. I don’t think anyone who hires Angel is going to ask her to be someone else. Otherwise, they would have drafted someone else.

Angel has also cited both A’ja Wilson and Candace Parker as significant basketball influences. In seeking out advice or mentors, I would suggest looking to another LSU alum, Sylvia Fowles. While Angel is undersized for a center, there is much that Sylvia Fowles could teach her beyond basketball. Some mock drafts have her being picked by Minnesota. If that is indeed the case, what better opportunity to learn from one of the best? 

Angel Reese and the Age of Social Media

Of course, Angel is forever going to have to combat the ups and downs of social media. People are always going to judge, regardless of how many times they are asked not to do that. People will have preconceived ideas about everything to satisfy their need to criticize, condemn, and hate. That is not going to change, and in this regard, Angel Reese is spot on. She certainly does not need to change to garner the approval of nameless troglodytes who have nothing better to do than spew vitriol.

As many times as people say they can ignore it or that it doesn’t bother them, the reality is that it does. No one’s skin is that thick. The question then is how does one respond? Part of starting over, being a rookie again, is to examine what inside made you want to play this game, long before the thoughts of NIL, social media, and fame were even a glimmer in the distance. Perhaps it is more than just starting over. Perhaps it is a re-examination of who Angel Reese, the basketball player, really is.

Reese and Overcoming the Odds

That is something that no pundit, troll, teammate, coach, or even friend knows. Only Angel Reese knows that. I think that there is a vulnerability to Angel Reese that will serve her as well as the bravado. If Angel Reese wants to succeed in the WNBA, yes, she has work to do on her skills. No one would argue that, including Angel. The rest of it is between Angel and herself. I enjoy watching Reese play and like the bravado in a player.

Additionally, I like commitment. I like watching players overcome adversity while moving closer to a greater goal. It is possible some coaches and GMs might find choosing Angel Reese a risk. To that I say, look closer, really close. Listen carefully. Will drafting Angel Reese be a challenge? Yes, of course. But a risk? Not at all. 

And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.

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