Outrage erupted across social media after sports commentator Stephen A. Smith allegedly referred to LSU basketball star Angel Reese as a “whore” during a recent broadcast. The shocking remark, widely criticized as misogynistic and disrespectful, has sparked intense backlash from fans, athletes, and advocacy groups.
The controversy began when Smith discussed Reese during a segment about her growing popularity and bold personality on and off the court. Viewers claim Smith used the offensive term while questioning her behavior, though the comment was quickly edited out of online replays.
The backlash was swift, with many demanding accountability. Social media platforms lit up with hashtags like #ApologizeToAngel and #RespectWomenAthletes. Critics called the remark not only sexist but also an attack on Reese’s character.
“Stephen A. Smith’s words were out of line, disrespectful, and entirely unacceptable,” tweeted one fan. “Angel Reese is a champion and role model. She deserves better.”
In response to the growing outrage, Smith issued a statement on Twitter, denying that he intentionally used the word and claiming it was a miscommunication. “I have the utmost respect for Angel Reese and women in sports. If my words were misconstrued, I deeply apologize,” Smith wrote.
Reese, known for her confidence and refusal to back down, has yet to directly address the comment. However, her supporters have rallied behind her, emphasizing her role as a trailblazer for women’s basketball and a symbol of empowerment for young athletes.
As the backlash continues, many are calling for ESPN and Smith to take further action to address the situation. The incident has reignited conversations about the treatment of women in sports media and the need for greater respect and accountability.
Angel Reese directly asks former Chicago Sky teammate if she’s the reason she left
Angel Reese and Marina Mabrey cleared the air on what led to the latter’s trade out of the Chicago Sky, confirming that Reese was not the reason why she requested a trade
Angel Reese and Marina Mabrey cleared the air on why the latter requested a trade out of Chicago in the middle of the Sky’s 2024 season.
In July 2024, Mabrey and a 2025 second-round pick were traded to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a 2025 first-round pick, and the right to swap 2026 first-round picks. At the time, the trade left many fans scratching their heads, wondering why the Sky would trade a veteran like Mabrey.
Since then, many fans believed that former head coach Teresa Weathespoon’s coaching style and Reese’s emergence might have played a role in Mabrey’s departure. However, Reese made sure to let fans know that she and Mabrey have a tight relationship and that the star was not the cause for her trade.
In a recently posted video featuring both Reese and Mabrey, the Sky star spoke with Mabrey and the two cleared up any confusion fans might have. “‘Money Mabrey,’ we have a conspiracy,” Reese began in the video. “People want to know: Marina, did you leave Chicago because of me?”
Immediately after hearing Reese’s question, Mabrey replied: “No, I love Angel. The real ones know.” The two then exchanged friendly banter as they prepared for the inaugural season of Unrivaled, which sees Reese and Mabrey on different teams, Rose BC and Phantom BC, respectively.
Mabrey’s departure from Chicago is a topic fans have been pondering since the trade last season. Soon after the trade, it was revealed that the 28-year-old requested to be traded to a championship contender with stability, which was not what happened in Chicago.
Mabrey and Reese made it clear they were friends in a recent video (
Image:
X: @AngelandKamilla)
Reese and Mabrey shot down any rumors that the latter’s exit was because of the former (
Image:
X: @AngelandKamilla)
“I came to play for James Wade, the system he had built and the vision he saw for me,” Mabrey told the Chicago Sun-Times after her trade. “I don’t like to jump ship, so he left, and then I thought, ‘OK, let’s see what happens.’
“I like to keep our stuff in-house. What happens there stays there, but I saw it as an opportunity for me to get a chance to play with veterans, people who have won a championship.” Mabrey added that being able to play with Connecticut after playing in Chicago gave her a new outlook on her career.
“After a while, it’s hard you came for one thing, and it didn’t really end up panning out to be the role, position, everything that you were originally planning on being in with [Wade],” she continued. “That’s OK. Things change, and maybe it doesn’t work out like you saw it working out.
“But [in Chicago], I learned not to create expectations anymore because it just leads to a letdown. It’s hard. I won’t be going into Connecticut with any expectations.”
After Mabrey’s trade, Chicago only won three of its last 16 games, enduring seven and five-game losing streaks to end the season. Connecticut made it to the WNBA semi-finals, losing to the Minnesota Lynx in five games.