She has already made her presence heard in the series, taunting Golden State with a "too small" gesture.But Reese’s history of making statements stretches back well before her first Finals appearance.From her championship-game taunts directed at Caitlin Clark in college to public criticism of her own team in Chicago, Reese has repeatedly made headlines with her words and gestures.
Those moments have sparked debates over sportsmanship, player treatment and the scrutiny that comes with stardom.ANGEL REESE WENT FROM TAUNTING GOLDEN STATE TO COMPLAINING ABOUT OFFICIATING AS WNBA FINALS SHIFTEDReese has, at times, explicitly embraced the attention."I’ll take the bad guy role," she said in June 2024, while arguing that she also deserved credit for women’s basketball’s growing popularity.As she prepares for Saturday’s championship showdown, here is a look back at the trash talk, pointed comments and public clashes that have accompanied her rise.Angel Reese of LSU reacts toward Caitlin Clark of Iowa during the fourth quarter of the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on April 2, 2023.(Getty Images)Much of the world was introduced to Angel Reese at the end of the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.After her LSU Tigers knocked off Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes, Reese made a gesture that changed the sport forever.As LSU closed out its 102-85 national championship victory over Iowa, Reese waved her hand in front of her face in Clark’s direction, then pointed toward her ring finger.
The "you can’t see me" gesture, popularized by wrestler John Cena, was one Clark had used during Iowa’s Elite Eight win over Louisville.The celebration became a debate of its own.Critics accused Reese of poor sportsmanship, while defenders questioned why her gesture drew backlash when Clark’s had been celebrated.
Reese, named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, stood by it."I don’t fit in a box t...