Angel Reese has a problem with WNBA refs, and sheâs not afraid to share it.
The Chicago Sky star ripped the leagueâs officiating following Sundayâs 80-75 loss to the Minnesota Lynx in which the Sky were doubled up at the free-throw line.
âItâs tough when you talk to officials, and I asked them, âHey, weâve only been to the free-throw line twice up until the fourth quarter,â and she tells me itâs not her job,â Reese told reporters via ESPN. âSo, itâs frustrating because I know how hard we are battling inside, and I think that we came down and fought as hard as we could with what we had, and I just know we continue to grow in this.â
Reese didnât stop there, calling on the officiating to be fixed. Chicago attempted only eight free throws to Minnesotaâs 17.
âI donât give a (darn) if I get fined because that (stuff) is cheap, and Iâm tired of this (stuff),â Reese said. âBecause Iâve been nice, and Iâve been humble with it, but I am tired of this (stuff).â
The loss dropped Chicago to 5-12, the leagueâs second-worst record ahead of the 2-16 Connecticut Sun.
WNBA Players Have Been Vocal About League’s Officials
Reese, 23, isnât the only star to blast WNBA officials. On June 9, Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum voiced her displeasure in an expletive-laced rant after an 89-81 overtime loss to the Golden State Valkyries.
âI drive more than anyone in the league, so to shoot six free throws is (expletive) absurd,” Plum said in a video posted on X by WBB Buzzer. “I got scratches on my face, I got scratches on my body, and these guards on the other team get these ticky-tack fouls, and I’m sick of it. â¦
âIâm playing 40 minutes, touching the paint on almost every play. Itâs absurd. Itâs absurd. So, Iâm saying Iâll get fined for that and thatâs fine, but I mean â and I needed to make more shots like late-game â but theyâre fouling the (expletive) out of me every single play. Iâm very frustrated with that.â
For what itâs worth, Plumâs 6.5 free-throw attempts per game rank fourth in the WNBA, behind Brittney Sykes (8.7), Aâja Wilson (8.1) and Breanna Stewart (6.9). Still, her comments highlight a growing concern amongst WNBA players.
Angel Reese Headed to Second Straight All-Star Game
Reese is in midst of another strong season. After finishing second to Caitlin Clark in Rookie of the Year voting in 2024, Reese has improved her shooting across the board while maintaining similar production. In 17 games, the 6-foot-3 forward is averaging 12.6 points, a league-leading 12.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
The former LSU standout was named an All-Star for the second year in a row, and should remain one of the leagueâs most marketable figures. The WNBA All-Star Game is July 19 in Indianapolis.
While it hasnât translated to many wins for Chicago, Reese clearly hopes that officials will start to cut her more slack.
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