In an episode of “SI Media with Jimmy Traina,” sports media personality Andrew Perloff credited Chicago Sky star Angel Reese as a huge part of the rise in success and popularity of the WNBA—but the show host seemed to not agree with the sentiment.
In the episode, Perloff talked about the current era of the WNBA and compared it to the rise of Michael Jordan in the NBA during the 90s and how he made not only the Bulls but the entirety of basketball more popular than ever back then.
“She’s like Michael Jordan, I totally agree,” Perloff said, this time talking about Caitlin Clark first. “I watched so much more [women’s basketball]—I personally like the college game a little more than the pro right now. The pro is a little 1-on-1 right now, but it’ll catch up, and Angel Reese’s a big part of it.”
Program host and ports analyst Jimmy Traina criticized and shut down the idea.
“That’s such bulls**t, it’s just bulls**t,” he said. “[Caitlin Clark is] responsible for a number that no one else is getting.”
Despite being often described as on-court rivals, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark both acknowledged that they don’t have ill feelings toward each other.
“I don’t think people realize it’s not personal,” Reese said in a previous statement. “Once we get out between those lines, if I see you walking down the street, it’s like, ‘Hey, girl, what’s up? Let’s hang out.’ Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other.”
Angel Reese Shoots Down Charles Barkley’s Comment Praising Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese, known for clapping back toward haters and critics on social media, also recently took on the comment of one analyst and shut him down, after the Chicago Sky mopped the floor with the New York Liberty for the latter’s then first defeat of the season.
“And that’s on getting a WIN in a packed [arena] not just because of one player on our charter flight,” Resse said in her post.
The said post had since been deleted by the Sky player, as some people took her statement out of context and published it as her attacking Caitlin Calrk, to which people came to Reese’s defense to say that the remark was more for Charles Barkley’s “petty” comment and in no way about Clark.
Incredibly disheartening to see Angel Reese attack Caitlin Clark like this. Just entirely baseless and distasteful. The tweet screams jealousy and insecurity.
Although, Caitlin Clark probably deserved this given she has white, straight, pretty & tall-privilege. Right, @sunny? pic.twitter.com/CHfIDNOCRo
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 24, 2024
ESPN host and commentator Charles Barkley previously took a jab towards WNBA players being “petty” towards Caitlin Clark, citing Clark as the reason for their “private charters” and “the money and visibility” the WNBA is getting.
Angel Reese will play on Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, before moving to the 2025 season of the WNBA.
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