LSU star Angel Reese has become a lightning rod for criticism as well as support.
After a tearful recent postgame press conference detailing the sexist and racist abuse she’s received since being labeled the “villain” of women’s college basketball, Reese’s story has resonated with many.
Her outspoken personality, while undeniably confident, can be polarizing. Some, including even women’s basketball legends, find it off-putting. However, others see it as a refreshing authenticity. Regardless of how you feel about her, Reese’s talent and impact on the game are undeniable.
Adding fuel to the fire, WNBA legend Diana Taurasi took a jab at Reese during Friday’s return of The Bird & Taurasi Show. Co-hosting a mega-cast for both Final Four games, Taurasi’s comment about Reese’s on-court behavior didn’t land as intended.
During the broadcast, Sue Bird pointed out a clip of Reese waving to Middle Tennessee’s Anastasiia Boldyreva after LSU defeated them 83-59 in the second round. This seemingly innocuous gesture prompted a not-so-subtle jab from Taurasi at Reese, whose LSU team ultimately lost to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight.
“Wave bye-bye to your own career,” Taurasi said.
“Wave bye bye to your own career.”
Diana Taurasi with the not so subtle diss to Angel Reese on Reese Bye-Bye to Middle Tennessee’s Anastasiia Boldyreva. #WomensFinalFour – @sluggahjells pic.twitter.com/AJW89bgN7q
— The Whole Delivery (@TWDTV1) April 6, 2024
Bird had to remind her that this was only the end of Reese’s collegiate career. She had just declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft and is expected to be a top pick.
“Oh, right,” Taurasi replied. “My bad.”
Those who reacted on social media seemed to see it as an unforced error by one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
Saying bye bye to her career? Like Angel Reese didn’t make more money in the last year than Diana Taurasi has in the last 20 years in the WNBA. get that hate out of your heart https://t.co/zbILsA1bCC
— Lemon Pepper Lou (@LVstackiN) April 6, 2024
This is the biggest problem the WNBA has. Embrace the youth movement and capitalize off of their stardom. The vets are already speaking their failure into existence. https://t.co/1ZnaisdUcH
— Jor-El (@R3llvolv3rOc3lt) April 6, 2024
Damn why they hating on their potential cash cows. I’ll never understand it https://t.co/PCdQrtg5ol
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) April 6, 2024
Yeah that’s how you show people you support young women in sports:
Hate on the young women for no reason 😒. Old heads in sports love hating on the next generation and it’s so weird.
— Shaun Bellamy (@KingSB93) April 6, 2024
Yall finally seeing WNBA old heads just like the NBA lmao lets gooo https://t.co/HKv3FAN6C8
— Michelin Star (@trellodelagetto) April 6, 2024
This + the Breanna Stewart comment proves one thing:
The older generation of stars are JEALOUS of the young superstars. https://t.co/W2D1yb9lH1
— Carter Bryant (@PowerHourLSU) April 6, 2024
What an odd thing to say https://t.co/6pnZPxV0nP
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 6, 2024
This what I mean when I say we defending Angel, because old vets like her will want to hop on the hate bandwagon. Your career been gone, and all you doing is taking up USA spots, and team roster spots. I expected to see it soon this is what I mean Exhibit A: https://t.co/kGCdt3AsvQ
— J_CLUTCH2 (@clutch2_j) April 6, 2024
Taurasi’s comment not only felt weird for the moment but also misguided. We recently saw Emmanuel Acho face criticism for suggesting Reese’s personality invited negativity, even though the media, not her peers, labeled her the villain. Taurasi’s “wave bye-bye to your career” remark only seems to amplify that narrative.
Reese is a rising star soon to join the WNBA, which would only seem to benefit from the increased viewership that the women’s college game has seen in 2024. Perhaps Taurasi intended her remark to be a playful jab, mirroring Reese’s actions towards opponents, but is that really in her job description?
While personal preference towards Reese exists, taking a not-so-subtle shot at her after her emotional response to abuse undermines efforts to promote a supportive environment in women’s basketball.
[The Whole Delivery on X]
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.