Fans booed Angel Reese after she celebrated a score with a 'too small' gesture directed at Paige Bueckers' team during a WNBA game. The incident sparked significant reactions from the crowd and highlighted ongoing rivalries.
Why Paige Bueckers fans chose to boo 'villain' Angel Reese originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Thousands inside the arena erupted after one bold celebration crossed a line for many watching fans. But the player at the center of that moment only made things even louder.
During Atlanta's 77-72 road win over Paige Bueckers' squad, Angel Reese grabbed an offensive rebound and scored over multiple defenders, including Odyssey Sims, in the painted area.
Following the score, she immediately flexed and hit the "too small" gesture aimed toward the Wings' bench and crowd.
The Dallas crowd reacted with loud boos, but Reese smiled, waved them on for more noise, and continued to taunt the crowd as she got back on defense.
Reese has explicitly acknowledged and embraced being cast as the "villain" or "bad guy" by the media and public, using it as fuel for her high-energy playstyle.
Reese was acquired from the in a blockbuster trade during the offseason. The move gave her a fresh start, but the villain reputation followed her to Atlanta right away.
Fans booed Angel Reese for making a 'too small' gesture after scoring, which many perceived as disrespectful toward Paige Bueckers' team.
Angel Reese's team, Atlanta, won the game against Paige Bueckers' squad with a score of 77-72.
The 'too small' gesture is often used in basketball to taunt an opponent, implying that they are not a significant threat.
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Reese recorded 12 points and 16 rebounds for her 51st career double-double in the big road victory. She grabbed 8 offensive rebounds alone, one more than the entire Dallas team managed combined.
Reese has faced this kind of loud reaction from fans before. She became a household name during the 2023 NCAA Tournament after her infamous gesture toward rival Caitlin Clark.
Reese hit Clark with John Cena's 'you can't see me' taunt during that championship title game. She also pointed to her ring finger, causing huge controversy about sportsmanship and trash talk.
Reese never backed away from the spotlight then, and she has not changed now. The villain role travels with her everywhere she goes in this league.
Whether fans cheer or boo, Reese keeps turning every single arena into part basketball game, part emotional showdown. And this particular story is far from being over anytime soon.