Angel Reese has become one of the most polarizing figures in the WNBA. Her college rivalry with Caitlin Clark at LSU set the stage for a storm of public scrutiny, which has followed her into the professional ranks.
Yet, not everyone views her in a negative light. A former LSU star and ex-teammate, Last-Tear Poa, recently drew renewed attention when her comments about Reese resurfaced online, highlighting the so-called “Angel Reese Effect” on women’s basketball and drawing fresh criticism from fans.
In an exclusive July interview with basketball.com.au, Poa shared, “I might get hate for this, but she’s the main reason why women’s basketball changed that year. She brought intensity and stood on business. I loved playing with Angel. I wish I could again. She taught me a lot, on and off the court. Being the point guard, when I got the ball, she was running, she made things easy. And if we shot, she’d get the rebound. Her shoulders were heavy, but she wore that crown to the top.”
Reese’s polarizing presence on and off the court
While Reese has faced criticism throughout her career, much of it has been fueled by her outspoken personality, on-court gestures, and racial and gender biases.
During the 2025 WNBA season, she reportedly endured racial slurs and jeers from Indiana Fever fans after a confrontation with Clark during a Chicago Sky matchup.
Yet, her accomplishments remain undeniable.
During her college career, Reese averaged 20.9 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, earning 61 double-doubles at LSU and earning the nickname “double-double machine.”
As a WNBA rookie, she set the league’s single-season rebound record with 446 total boards and 13.1 rebounds per game. Off the court, she made history by landing the solo cover of Vogue’s Winter 2025 issue, a first for any professional basketball player.
Despite these achievements, Poa’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions. One fan questioned, “WHAT DID SHE TEACH YOU? HOW TO THROW YOUR FUTURE BASKETBALL CAREER AWAY? Or HOW TO MISS WIDE OPEN LAYUPS?”
This references several on-court miscues Reese experienced, including missed layups during the 2025 season, like the one against the Washington Mystics where she lost possession and allowed a fast break.
Yet many fans defended Reese, pointing out her transformative impact on the sport.
“Real basketball followers knew this… it’s them hand wave heathens that’s oblivious,” one fan wrote, while another commented, “Spot On.” Clark herself has acknowledged the hate Reese has faced, telling ESPN, “There’s no place for that in our game, there’s no place for that in society. Certainly, we want every person who comes into our arena, whether player or fan, to have a great experience.”
Reese’s confidence in her role in shaping women’s basketball is clear. She once said, “I’ll look back in 20 years and be like, ‘yeah, the reason why [we’re] watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person’. It’s because of me, too, and I want y’all to realize that.”
With Poa‘s comments resurfacing, it’s evident that Reese’s impact, both celebrated and criticized, remains at the forefront of conversations about the sport’s future.
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