Dawn Staley Stands Firm Behind Angel Reese, Sparking Fierce Support Across Women’s Basketball

Legendary women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has publicly voiced her support for Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, following a contentious on-court incident with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Staley, widely recognized for her leadership in women’s basketball, highlighted Reese’s resilience, exceptional performance, and leadership amid growing media scrutiny.

The incident occurred during a May 17 game between the Sky and the Fever, when Clark committed a flagrant foul on Reese during a layup attempt. The play sparked a brief but heated exchange between the two rookies before coaches and teammates intervened to de-escalate the situation. Following the game, Reese reportedly faced racist and hateful comments from fans, prompting the WNBA to launch an investigation into the allegations.

During a May 20 appearance on The View to promote her new book, “Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother and Life Lessons I Learned from All Three”, Staley addressed the incident. Responding to questions about the controversy, she said:

“We need to take the lead of Caitlin, take the lead of Angel. They’ve gotten over it. They said, ‘It’s done, it’s basketball, let’s move on,’ but if in my book, you’ll find the answers.”

Staley emphasized that both players demonstrated maturity by moving past the incident and maintaining professionalism on the court.

Known for her successful coaching career, Staley has been at the helm of South Carolina women’s basketball since 2008 and led the U.S. women’s national team to gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She has also been a mentor to numerous WNBA players, many of whom continue to shape the league today.

Reflecting on Reese’s performance, Staley praised her consistency and impact, stating,

“If I had to pick a Rookie of the Year at this time—today—it’s Angel. Not a doubt. What she’s been able to do with the double-doubles is remarkable.”

While Clark earned 66 of 67 Rookie of the Year votes, Reese received one vote, highlighting the close competition between the two talented rookies.

The WNBA responded swiftly to the allegations of racist and hateful fan behavior. In a statement, the league said:

“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.”

Both Reese and Clark have publicly condemned inappropriate fan behavior and stressed the importance of a respectful and inclusive environment in the league, demonstrating mutual respect despite the on-court rivalry.

Reese continues to excel alongside former South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso on the Chicago Sky, while Clark plays with former South Carolina standout Aliyah Boston on the Indiana Fever. This season, nine former Staley players are active in the WNBA across seven different teams, underscoring her profound influence on women’s basketball.

Through her support of Angel Reese and advocacy for players’ professionalism, Dawn Staley continues to champion the values of leadership, resilience, and respect in women’s sports—both on and off the court.