Wosny “Big Wos” Lambre, senior staff writer at The Ringer, spoke out on Saturday regarding the ongoing Angel Reese WNBA rivalry and racial dynamics, particularly critiquing the protective attitude some fans have shown toward Reese. His comments came after a heated incident this season when Caitlin Clark was penalized with a Flagrant 1 foul for pushing Angel Reese during their first matchup.
Appearing on The Young Turks, Big Wos argued Reese does not require the exaggerated protection suggested by certain observers in the media and fan base. He emphasized that Reese is a formidable figure, both financially and socially, rejecting any notion that she is vulnerable or powerless.
“Guys, Angel Reese is fine, man. She’s pretty freaking rich,” Big Wos said. “She’s pretty influential. She’s a powerful person. She’s gonna be fine. I’m not even talking physically. I’m talking about, she’s a powerful woman. She’s good.” —Big Wos, Senior Staff Writer
“I think there’s a certain level of pearl clutching and protectionism that goes on in the industry that’s racial in nature. I’m just like, ‘Guys, I’m sorry, man. She’s not part of a vulnerable population of Black women.” —Big Wos, Senior Staff Writer
The incident involving Clark’s flagrant foul also sparked an investigation by the WNBA into reports of racist behavior, specifically alleged monkey noises aimed at Reese. The league responded swiftly, issuing a statement condemning racism and discrimination and confirming it was examining the allegations closely.
“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms,” the league said, “and is aware of the allegations and (is) looking into the matter.” —WNBA Statement
After completing its inquiry, the WNBA announced that it did not find sufficient evidence to substantiate the claims of racial taunts.
“(Reese is) powerful,” Big Wos reiterated. “She got it going on. She’s good. There are vulnerable Black women out there. Angel Reese ain’t one of them and we’re not served by pretending that she is.” —Big Wos, Senior Staff Writer
Big Wos Highlights Caitlin Clark as the True Minority Within the WNBA
Addressing wider conversations about race and culture within the league, Big Wos suggested that Caitlin Clark occupies a unique position, often misunderstood as part of the majority when she is, in fact, a minority in the WNBA context. He noted that the league is highly progressive, making Clark’s straight, apolitical stance an outlier.
“I think the league is extremely woke,” Big Wos said. “And Caitlin Clark has taken a lot of pains to be apolitical. Also, she’s straight. That’s another part, she’s not gay. .. So she’s not part of the dominant culture (in the WNBA), okay? In society and culture, yes, she is. But in the context of the WNBA, she ain’t part of that.” —Big Wos, Senior Staff Writer
“And so you add that to the ‘great white hope’ feeling to a predominantly Black league, it’s not hard to understand why people was annoyed by her. You ain’t woke, you ain’t gay, and you ain’t black. Get out of here.” —Big Wos, Senior Staff Writer
These remarks come amid ongoing discussions about the racial dynamics fueling the rivalry between Reese and Clark, which has drawn comparisons to legendary sports duels. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert previously acknowledged the racial undertones, likening their competition to the famed Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry, underscoring the larger cultural context at play.
This rivalry and the surrounding controversies continue to illuminate conversations about identity, power, and perception within women’s professional basketball, suggesting that debates over race and representation will remain central to the league’s narrative going forward.