Angel Reese has come under intense scrutiny this season for her difficulties finishing layups, igniting widespread criticism across social media platforms. The Chicago Sky forward’s struggles were most prominently highlighted during a May 22 game at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, where she missed four consecutive layups against the New York Liberty, fueling ongoing debates about her scoring ability. This persistent issue, compounded by a $100,000 one-on-one challenge from sports pundit Clay Travis, has pushed Reese into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The 2025 season has seen similar criticism that began last year, where fan-made videos of Reese’s missed layups repeatedly go viral. One Twitter compilation from August 2024 amassed 18,000 likes, showcasing moments of Reese’s difficulty in converting close-range shots. During the recent matchup against New York, Reese failed to make a single field goal attempt, going 0-for-8 from the field despite her aggressive effort, including rebounds off her own missed shots. Her stat line included two points scored from free throws, a minus-25 rating in plus-minus, and five turnovers, signaling significant offensive struggles.
Clay Travis Issues Public $100,000 Challenge to Angel Reese
The situation escalated when Clay Travis, founder of Outkick and former Fox Sports commentator, publicly challenged Reese to a one-on-one basketball game. Travis asserted that Reese’s rebounds largely stem from recovering her own missed shots and questioned her shooting capability during his podcast. He offered a $100,000 prize if Reese could best him in a half–court match to 15 points, blending one- and two-point baskets with mandatory returns behind the three-point line for possession changes.
Angel Reese’s rebounds are almost all just her own misses. She cannot shoot. Which is why,… and maybe I’m wrong about this…, I.. and I don’t think there’s been a response yet, has there Adam? I publicly challenged Angel Reese to a, uh… to a, uh… one-on-one game to 15. One-point baskets, two-point baskets half court, gotta go back to the three-point line. A $100,000 from me if Angel Reese can beat me head-to-head.
—Clay Travis, Outkick Founder
Travis further promoted the challenge on Twitter, proposing a pay-per-view event to benefit charity in which he would face Reese on the court, stating:
Hey @Reese10Angel me vs you half court to 15 by 1’s and 2’s. $100k to the winner, more than you make in an entire WNBA season. Rebounds taken back to three point line. We put the game on pay per view and raise millions for charity of winner’s choice. You in?
—Clay Travis, Twitter post
His proposal stirred controversy, especially considering Reese’s height advantage and professional experience over the 46-year-old commentator. Reese’s decision to block Travis on social media only intensified public discourse, with fans accusing her of sidestepping a challenge that could have been an opportunity to face the criticism head-on. Donald Trump Jr. also commented on the matter, expressing his curiosity despite not being a basketball follower:
I really wanted to see this matchup and I don’t even watch basketball.
—Donald Trump Jr.
Historical Context of Clay Travis’ Gender-Based Challenges
Clay Travis has a history of provoking controversy by challenging the skill levels of professional women athletes. Earlier in 2025, he controversially offered $1 million to the Las Vegas Aces, the reigning WNBA champions, to compete against a boys’ high school basketball team. He claimed the boys would emerge victorious from the matchup. This assertion sparked a backlash for being dismissive of the professional women players’ talent and commitment, further coloring public perception of his recent challenge toward Reese.
Evaluating Angel Reese’s Role and Current Struggles with Chicago Sky
Angel Reese’s recent performance slump has led many fans and analysts to question if she is holding the Chicago Sky back. While Reese was highly regarded for her rebounding prowess last season, her field goal shooting was subpar, with a 39.1% shooting percentage in 2024. Of particular concern is her layup efficiency, which was among the lowest in the league at just 44.5% on attempts at the rim—a fundamental deficiency for a professional basketball player.
Despite offseason efforts to improve her shooting, these struggles have persisted into the new year. Chicago Sky head coach James Marsh provided a straightforward evaluation of her performance in the Liberty game. He attributed Reese’s missed shots primarily to rushing:
Some of (her shots) were rushed,
—Coach James Marsh, via Jason Lieser, Chicago Sun-Times
That was really it. Angel knows that we have confidence in her. . . . We have constant belief in all our players to make those. It’s not going to be often that we have a ton of misses like this.
—Coach James Marsh, via Jason Lieser, Chicago Sun-Times
Coach Marsh’s goal is to implement a faster style of basketball which demands more from Reese on both offense and defense, including catching long passes and protecting the rim. Her unfinished rebounds and the Sky’s struggles with outside shooting place increased pressure on her to convert scoring chances. At the moment, her inability to finish at the rim weakens the team’s offensive flow.
Looking Ahead: Angel Reese’s Path to Recovery and Team Impact
The Chicago Sky remain committed to Reese as a cornerstone for their future success despite this rocky start. With just two games into the season, there is optimism she can adjust her game and regain confidence. Fans’ harsh reactions are likely temporary and contingent on performance; one or two strong games could quickly shift the narrative back in her favor.
Mental resilience is being tested as criticism mounts over Reese’s shooting flaws. Improvement will require time and patience, but as long as progression is evident, Reese can maintain focus on honing her skills rather than getting distracted by controversy. Her success is critical for the Sky, as their offense depends heavily on her development as a reliable scorer and rebounder.
This ongoing saga highlights the challenges professional female athletes face when public expectations conflict with performance dips. Angel Reese’s journey this season, defined by persistent layup struggles and off-court drama, will be closely watched by fans and critics alike as she attempts to overcome the adversity surrounding the viral backlash.