Carmelo Anthony Entrusts Angel Reese With Major Responsibility During WNBA Draft Night

This year has brought Angel Reese great opportunities along with great responsibilities. Notably, Reese was the 7th pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft. And now as she steps into the big league, the 21-year-old carries the expectations of her fans and her new franchise, Chicago Sky, with her. Not to forget, there have been expectations from players like her and Caitlin Clark to bring about a change for the WNBA itself. Amid all of this, ex-NBA star Carmelo Anthony has entrusted yet another responsibility to Reese.

“Keep putting on for the city,” the ex-New York Knicks star told Angel on the WNBA draft night through a video message. Notably, both Reese and Carmelo Anthony are Baltimore natives and share a great fondness for the city. The assigned responsibility for the ex-LSU star came as a congratulatory message from Melo.

“I just want to say congratulations to you… keep holding your standards high, keep wearing your crown, keep doing what you do… I just want to say I’m proud of you,” he said in his video message. Reese reciprocated to Melo’s message with a sense of appreciation. She spotlighted how Carmelo Anthony, coming from Baltimore, always supported her.

“Your nail tech did my nails, so it’s crazy. I appreciate you, though. All love to you, and I just can’t say it enough. Thank you,” she further stated. It is worth mentioning that Reese played her high school basketball at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. Now the new beginnings bring new challenges and opportunities for the 21-year-old.

Angel Reese’s impact on the game so far

The ex-LSU star became somewhat of a role model during her NCAA phase. It is worth mentioning that players like her, Caitlin Clark, and many more have brought a significant viewership for women’s college basketball this season. Notably, Reese has also had a visible impact on the young girls among the LSU fans, even though she did not realize how it happened, as she claims.

“I’ll ask them, ‘Why do you love me?’ And they said, ‘Because you are who you are. You’re you.’ And that’s the biggest trait I carry. Be who you are, and never, ever back down to anyone,” Reese had stated, as per an article by Just Women’s Sports.

Notably, Reese earned her image for her unapologetic behavior, and as someone who wears her emotions on her sleeves. And this unfiltered version seems to have resonated with a significant section of the basketball fans. However, it is yet to be seen what impact she creates in the WNBA now.