This year, Angel Reese has become the center of a heated dispute involving well-known sports figures. Recently, retired NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas criticized WNBA players for not standing up for Reese amid the Angel Reese WNBA cover controversy surrounding the NBA 2K26 WNBA edition.
During a live stream over the weekend, Arenas questioned why none of Reese’s WNBA peers had defended her after a digitally altered image surfaced, replacing Reese with a monkey on the NBA 2K26 WNBA cover. Arenas specifically called out top players like A’ja Wilson for their silence on the matter.
“Did any of them [WNBA players] stand up for Angel Reese?” Arenas said on the live stream. “Did the A’ja Wilsons, the superstars of the W say, ‘Oh my God, why are people doing this to [Reese]?’ Not one, right?”
—Gilbert Arenas, NBA All-Star and Podcaster
Arenas, now a podcaster on his show No Chill Gil, also linked this issue to previous tensions involving Reese and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has repeatedly claimed Reese dislikes fellow basketball player Caitlin Clark — an assertion refuted by Ryan Clark, a former NFL player turned analyst.
“I told you this is a bigger picture than the RG f***ing three and the s*** that be going on,” Arenas added. “This is an all-Black women’s league, 90%. That’s what they did to one of their own on a video game, and not one of them stood up and said, ‘Yo, this ain’t right.'”
—Gilbert Arenas, NBA All-Star and Podcaster
So far, Angel Reese herself has not made any public statements regarding the controversy over the altered NBA 2K26 cover image.
Recognizing Angel Reese’s Influence Beyond the Court
While the controversy has embroiled several analysts and players, some voices have praised Reese for her broader contributions. ESPN’s Arielle Chambers, a promoter of women’s sports culture, highlighted Reese’s impact during an episode of the Disney Plus series Vibe Check.
Chambers emphasized that Reese excels not only in basketball but also in influencing culture, pointing to Reese’s mix of athletic dedication and presence at high-profile events like the Met Gala.
“She is the walking example of how you can walk and chew gum,” Chambers said. “You can impact culture and basketball.”
—Arielle Chambers, ESPN Sports Journalist and Women’s Culture Advocate
Chambers praised Reese’s ability to balance varied roles — from rigorous training camps with the Chicago Sky to glamorous cultural events — demonstrating versatility uncommon among athletes.
Implications of the Controversy for the WNBA Community
The Angel Reese WNBA cover controversy has spotlighted issues of representation and support within the league. Gilbert Arenas’s remarks suggest frustration with the lack of public defense from WNBA players for one of their leading stars, drawing attention to underlying racial and cultural challenges.
This debate could encourage more open conversations among players and organizations about solidarity when facing public attacks. As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, how the league addresses such controversies may influence its future image and player relations.
Angel Reese’s response and any follow-up actions by WNBA representatives remain awaited, but the controversy underscores the complex dynamics between sports culture, race, and media portrayal today.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s injury?
A. In a video uploaded to her TikTok on Sunday night, Reese explained, “I injured my hand and got a small bone crack when I fell during the and-1. The doctors advised that I could choose to either have surgery or not.”
Q. Does Angel Reese have a 1.6 GPA?
A. Additionally, Reese finished her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at LSU in March 2024. Her focus areas included Communication Studies, Leadership Development, and Psychology. This implies her GPA was above 2.0, meeting the basic graduation requirement.
Q. What did Angel Reese’s parents do?
A. Angel’s basketball talent is inherited from her parents, who both played the sport at the college and professional levels.
Q. Did Angel Reese have a 1.1 GPA?
A. In her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, she talked about her struggles during the first half of the 2023/24 season. She decided to take a step back so the team wouldn’t be held back. Reese also mentioned she never had a 1.1 GPA but didn’t share her exact grades.