Brandon Tatum, a prominent social media commentator, took a strong stance on the ongoing debate surrounding Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, joining Jason Whitlock’s criticism of what they describe as a “race hoax.” Tatum spoke out during the recent episode of Fearless with Jason Whitlock, emphasizing that the rivalry between the two athletes should not be framed through the lens of race.
Whitlock argued that attributing every conflict or issue to race is misleading and that this notion of a “race hoax” has persisted unnecessarily for years. Tatum echoed Whitlock’s perspective, directing sharp remarks at Angel Reese while praising Caitlin Clark’s abilities.
“Every time you turn around, they’re blaming race on things that obviously have nothing to do with race,” Tatum said. “Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark is not a race thing. Caitlin Clark is a baller. Angel Reese is nowhere near as good as Caitlin Clark.”
“You look on her social media. She’s dressing like a stripper. She has no decorum. She’s not a professional. She’s not mature. She has ghetto mentality and attitude that is not receptive in the WNBA when it comes to ratings and how they’re gonna grow and be succcessful.”
Background on Brandon Tatum’s Career and Political Views
Brandon Tatum is known for his political commentary on YouTube through his channel The Officer Tatum, which has attracted millions of views. Tatum identifies as a black conservative and co-founded the political movement Blexit in 2019, which encourages African Americans to exit the Democratic Party.
Before his public commentary career, Tatum spent five years playing football at the University of Arizona. After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft, he served as a police officer in Arizona. Tatum transitioned to online commentary following his departure from law enforcement in 2017.
Jason Whitlock Addresses Angel Reese’s Hostility Toward Caitlin Clark
Jason Whitlock also criticized Angel Reese’s hostility toward Caitlin Clark, describing it as a one-sided feud that has fatigued the audience, especially due to the frequent invocation of race. These remarks came in response to an incident that occurred during the Indiana Fever’s dominant 93-58 victory over the Chicago Sky on May 17.
“Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark. She hates the one person who might lead the WNBA to profitability. Reese hates the player who has made her rich and famous. This is insanity. Why hate Caitlin Clark? You’re nothing without Caitlin Clark,” Whitlock tweeted on Tuesday.
The dispute began when Angel Reese reacted strongly after being fouled hard by Caitlin Clark, resulting in a brief scuffle that did not escalate further. The officials assessed Reese with a flagrant one foul and Clark with a technical foul. Both players walked away without further confrontation.
The Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky will meet four more times during the season, with their next game set for June 7 at the United Center in Chicago.
Implications of the Debate and Upcoming Games
The heated dialogue from figures like Brandon Tatum and Jason Whitlock highlights the intense scrutiny faced by both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, particularly regarding how race and professionalism are discussed in sports. The controversy adds another layer to their rivalry as the league eyes both players as key figures in the WNBA’s growth and popularity.
With the teams scheduled to meet multiple times this season, future matchups will likely continue to generate significant interest, both on the court and in public discourse.