Angel Reese has steadily built her reputation as one of the WNBA‘s most dynamic athletes, yet her rise has been accompanied by controversy, particularly involving Dave Portnoy, the outspoken owner of Barstool Sports. The tension began shortly after the 2023 NCAA National Championship game when Reese, playing for LSU, mimicked Caitlin Clark’s ‘you can’t see me’ celebration, a move that drew sharp criticism.
Following LSU’s victory over Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes, Portnoy publicly labeled Reese’s actions as “classless,” arguing that taunting Clark after their win was disrespectful. This heated exchange sparked ongoing debates about sportsmanship and respect between fans of both players.
Dave Portnoy’s Defenses and the Growing Debate
Portnoy has remained vocal in defending Caitlin Clark while critiquing Reese, often stirring strong reactions from both camps. Some observers have accused Portnoy of crossing a line, suggesting that his criticism of Reese, a Black player, may have elements of racial bias. However, Portnoy addressed these allegations on the Club Shay Shay podcast, clarifying that his comments stemmed from fandom loyalty rather than prejudice.
Despite his explanations, Reese’s supporters have not been placated, viewing Portnoy’s remarks as unfair and unwarranted. The divide has only deepened as the discourse continues to play out on social media and streaming platforms.
StudBudz Plan to Challenge Dave Portnoy Live Over His Remarks About Reese
The controversy has recently taken a new turn as StudBudz, a popular streaming duo known for their candid sports commentary, announced plans to confront Dave Portnoy directly during their live stream. The Minnesota Lynx players Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams, the hosts behind StudBudz, hinted at the possibility of inviting Portnoy to discuss his statements about Angel Reese in front of their audience.
This announcement has ignited further discussions, with some fans questioning whether StudBudz are capitalizing on the controversy for attention. However, the duo maintains their intent is to defend Reese and challenge Portnoy’s criticism publicly.
“When Dave comes on, we’re gonna ask him, ‘Hey Dave, why are you talking about Angel like that?’ Because we love her bad. Y’all see how simple that is.” —StudBudz mentioned on their stream
StudBudz Respond to Accusations of Seeking Clout
The decision by StudBudz to potentially host Portnoy has not been without backlash. Many Angel Reese fans expressed displeasure that the pair would engage with Portnoy, accusing them of clout chasing. Courtney Williams addressed these claims on social media, emphasizing that their willingness to converse with anyone should not be mistaken as an endorsement of all views held by those individuals.
Williams highlighted their commitment to open dialogue and their confidence in representing themselves and their allies with integrity.
“I’ll have a conversation with ANYBODY tbh. Don’t mean I rock with their views or the things that they’ve done. And quite frankly I’ll address ANYBODY. We getting a lil’ clout and I guess y’all forgetting how we give it up.” —Courtney Williams wrote on X
She further reinforced their stance by explaining that neither clout nor financial gain motivates their actions, instead framing their participation as a proud moment in their careers.
“Clout & Bread don’t move us twins. We prayed for times like this, so best believe we covered. We’ll stand tall in ANY room with ANYBODY.” —Courtney Williams wrote
Fan Backlash Targets Courtney Williams on Social Media
Despite these clarifications, some fans of Angel Reese have continued to express frustration openly, directing harsh criticism toward Courtney Williams on various social platforms. Williams responded to the relentless online attacks with a mix of humor and resilience, acknowledging the intensity of the backlash.
“I can’t open any of my social platforms without being called a ugly bald headed b***h. Y’all crazy man, I love it.” —Courtney Williams wrote
This indicates that Reese’s supporters remain deeply dissatisfied with any association of their star with figures like Portnoy, reflecting the ongoing tension within the WNBA fan community.
Implications for the WNBA Community and What’s Next
The anticipated live confrontation between StudBudz and Dave Portnoy carries significant weight for the WNBA community, representing a rare public showdown addressing contentious issues of respect, fandom, and race in women’s sports. Both hosts of StudBudz share a close friendship with Angel Reese, which suggests their handling of the conversation will be careful, yet firm.
This event may serve as an important moment for dialogue within and around the sport, potentially influencing fan interactions and media coverage in the future. How Portnoy responds to the direct questioning may also affect his standing among women’s basketball followers and his broader sports audience.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s injury?
A. Reese explained in a TikTok video posted late Sunday night that she hurt her hand when she fell. She mentioned that there’s a small crack in one of her hand bones. The doctors informed her she could choose to have surgery or not.
Q. Did Angel Reese get a degree?
A. Reese studied interdisciplinary subjects at Louisiana State University and communication at the University of Maryland, College Park. At LSU, she earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Communication Studies, Leadership, and Psychology.
Q. What did Angel Reese’s parents do?
A. Basketball is a family tradition for Angel since both parents played the game in college. Her mom even played professionally in Luxembourg. “She has always been self-reliant and taught me to be the same,” Angel shared with Just Women’s Sports in January 2023.