Riley Gaines Continues to Criticize Angel Reese Following Ejection Controversy

Riley Gaines, the former competitive swimmer known for her outspoken views, has continued her criticism of Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky forward, following a controversial ejection during a recent game. Gaines, who has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with Reese’s actions, particularly her ongoing shots at fellow athlete Caitlin Clark, took to social media to address Reese’s behavior.

In a post on her official X account, Gaines acknowledged Reese’s potential to be a positive role model for young girls, but also pointed out what she considered undesirable traits that were highlighted during the ejection. “Angel Reese has the potential to be a great role model for young girls…but she’s shown herself to be arrogant, unprofessional, & jealous,” Gaines wrote. The post immediately sparked further debate, as Gaines criticized Reese not only for her on-court behavior but also for her alleged emotional outbursts and social media presence.

Ejection Incident:

Angel Reese was ejected for the first time in her career during a game on Tuesday against the New York Liberty. The ejection came after Reese voiced her frustration over a call late in the fourth quarter. At around the 2:31 mark, she received two quick technical fouls from referee Charles Watson—one for her verbal exchange with the referee and the other for an inappropriate hand wave gesture. The hand wave, often seen as a sign of disrespect to officials, is frowned upon in both the NBA and WNBA, contributing to the ejection.

Reese’s reaction to the call ignited a firestorm of conversation about her temperament and professionalism on the court. While some fans defended Reese, claiming that her competitive nature was simply getting the best of her, others, like Gaines, saw it as further evidence of an immaturity that could tarnish her reputation as a rising star.

Gaines’ Previous Criticism:

This latest criticism from Gaines is not the first time she has taken aim at Reese. Earlier in the season, Gaines accused Reese of being “jealous” and “insecure” following some of Reese’s public comments about charter flights, which were thought to be aimed at Caitlin Clark but were reportedly also directed at former NBA player Charles Barkley. Gaines has suggested that Reese’s remarks about Clark’s success and the charter flight program were motivated by envy and a lack of self-confidence.

The back-and-forth between the two athletes has continued to fuel debate, with Gaines maintaining that Reese’s behavior both on and off the court is unbecoming of someone with her platform. Many former and current athletes have also weighed in on Reese’s treatment, with some expressing concerns over the physicality surrounding Clark, especially after incidents in the WNBA that were seen as targeting her.

WNBA Physicality and Controversy Around Caitlin Clark:

There has been an ongoing debate within the WNBA regarding the physicality faced by Caitlin Clark, who has garnered a large fan following and sparked significant attention for the league. Some have argued that players, including Reese, are taking out their frustration on Clark due to her rapid rise in popularity and media attention. UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has even voiced concerns, noting that some of his former players felt Clark was being unfairly targeted on the court.

Despite the division in opinions, it’s clear that the issues surrounding Reese’s ejection and her previous remarks are part of a larger narrative in women’s sports. The scrutiny of Reese’s behavior, combined with the ongoing debates about media influence, physicality, and competition within the WNBA, shows how complex the landscape is for female athletes who are navigating both on-court battles and public perceptions.

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