During a late July MLB broadcast in Chicago, John Kruk, a former major league first baseman, took a sharp jab at Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese while calling a Phillies vs. White Sox game. After the incident, Reese responded with a strong message, wishing ill will toward Kruk and those who have criticized her.
Kruk made the comment while working alongside Tom McCarthy in the broadcast booth for the game held in the Windy City. The topic shifted to basketball midway through the uneventful 6-0 matchup, leading Kruk to make a pointed reference aimed at Reese.
Details of John Kruk’s On-Air Remark About Reese
Tom McCarthy first shared a lighthearted birthday shoutout to the wife of Bob Wyskowski, a former high school basketball teammate, crediting himself humorously for Wyskowski’s success by saying,
“He was a heck of a basketball player. Played at Rider and Monmouth. It’s all because I missed a lot of shots and he cleaned them up.”
This prompted Kruk to seize the moment, saying,
“I don’t want to say anything, but there’s someone here in Chicago that does that a lot,”
referencing Reese in a critical way while comparing her to someone who often cleans up missed shots.
Angel Reese Labels Kruk a “Clout Chaser” and Issues a Strong Rebuttal
In response, Reese called out Kruk as a “clout chaser,” warning about the dangers of chasing attention obsessively. On TikTok, she posted a scathing message addressing her critics:
“To anybody that’s been mean to me, and you’re having a hard time in life, good.”
This public response showed her unwillingness to back down from the broadcast’s negativity.
Ongoing Criticism Surrounding Angel Reese’s ‘Mebound’ Playstyle
Angel Reese has made a significant impact early in her WNBA career, setting numerous records as a rookie for rebounds and double-doubles. Her 446 rebounds alongside 172 offensive rebounds established rookie benchmarks, while she also set records for consecutive double-doubles with 15 and most double-doubles by a rookie with 26.
Despite these accomplishments, Reese’s rebound statistics have been scrutinized because roughly 20% of those rebounds come from grabbing her own missed shots, a phenomenon fans and analysts refer to as the “mebound.” Early in the season, ESPN highlighted her struggles near the basket, noting 0-for-7 shooting within four feet — an unusually poor mark.
Her recent performance, however, indicates growth, with shooting accuracy improving notably. Reese has shot 50% or better from the field in six of her last eight games, contributing eight double-doubles and four 20-point games during that stretch, which has helped quiet some of her detractors.
What This Means for Angel Reese’s Career and Public Image
Angel Reese’s defiant response to John Kruk’s remarks underlines the growing attention and pressure she faces as a rising star in women’s basketball. The incident also highlights ongoing debates about her style of play, particularly regarding her high rebound totals and shooting efficiency.
As she continues to develop her game and deflect outside criticism, Reese’s resilience reflects her determination to build a lasting impact in the WNBA. Observers will be watching closely to see how she integrates criticism into motivation and whether she can maintain her record-setting pace while improving key areas of her performance.