Sky’s Angel Reese emphasizes catch-22 in criticisms of WNBA players’ appearance

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese said WNBA players like herself are stuck in an unenviable game of catch-22 regarding their appearance.

Put on too much makeup and internet trolls will say players need to focus on the game. But skipping the false lashes and foundation will cause others to criticize the athletes for being overly masculine.

“They complain and say that WNBA players are too manly, not feminine enough. We don’t dress cute enough. They don’t want to watch a bunch of little boys running around the court. Now, we’re too much,” Reese said on her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast. “’I’m not watching that WNBA. Masculine, long shorts.’”

Reese, who will enter her second season in the WNBA this spring, has been a target of social media criticism since her time at LSU. Her on-court rivalry with Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark only intensified the backlash.

“They be real loose at the mouth,” fellow player Dijonai Carrington said on the podcast. “I know they think it’s trolls, but it’s not just trolls. It be people that we see in real life.”

Reese confessed that it’s hard to find the balance between being herself without baiting the frustrated fans.

“I don’t be getting it,” she said. “Like, I can’t put a little lip gloss on?”