Angel Reese’s rookie year was nothing short of impressive, but it wasn’t without its challenges. The rivalry between her and Caitlin Clark’s fan bases, sparked by the 2023 NCAA Final, put the Chicago Sky under intense scrutiny and made them targets for trolls. Despite the noise, Reese wrapped up her rookie year with some standout records, including a streak of double-doubles. Now, when she was joined by another young star from the college basketball world, she admired how the rising star overcame similar challenges, sharing how she, too, has learned to navigate tough times.

Recently, UFC Knights star Mikey Williams joined Angel Reese on her podcast Unapologetically Angel. The conversation turned to the trolls and harsh comments athletes often face, both on the court and online. Curious about how Williams handles such negativity, Reese asked him about his approach. Williams confidently shared how he’s learned to stay composed and focused despite the criticism.

Now though, I don’t hear nobody, like I be on the court, like I’ve just learned how to, uh, I’ve just learned how to keep it, keep my composure, really just never really show too much emotion. You know how sometimes the crowd, like, ‘overrated, overrated,’ like, it’ll turn somebody up? Like me, I’m not somebody that’ll turn up. Like, you’re not going to throw me off, though, but it’s like I turn myself up. Like, I don’t let nobody push the button. Yeah, like, I feel like I push my own buttons.”, he shared Williams.

Reese wasted no time diving in, pointing out how social media often spreads only half the story, fueling unnecessary criticism and harsh comments. Drawing from her own experiences, she added a personal touch to the conversation and took a moment to commend Williams for his resilience.

“I feel like you have to be really strong to like yeah it’s okay to be in our position, like to have social media platforms. A lot of people don’t know the half and like to be able to be in this position and be strong through everything. Like you feel like I’ve been at points where things gone viral things happen and you feel like you hit rock bottom and like everybody against you and they hate you and all this sh-t like it’s hard,” mentioned the Sky forward. 

Earlier in the debut episode of her podcast, Reese opened up about the darker side of her journey. She shared how doctored images of her had circulated on social media, and she also received death threats and incidents of people following her to her home. Yet, like Mikey Williams, she embodies a resilient spirit—something she emphasized in her remarks earlier this year before stepping into the pro basketball world.

From controversy to resilience: How Angel Reese channels criticism into motivation

Sometimes, a single moment can thrust an athlete into the spotlight, especially when it’s wrapped in controversy. For Angel Reese, that moment came during the 2023 NCAA Final between LSU and Iowa. In a high-stakes showdown, Reese delivered John Cena’s iconic “You can’t see me” gesture to Caitlin Clark, then pointed to her finger, signaling LSU’s championship victory. What began as competitive banter quickly spiraled into backlash, marking Reese’s first major brush with public criticism.

Ever since then, the Chicago Sky forward has often been the center of controversy, whether for her personal life choices or outspoken comments. But in March, Reese addressed the chatter head-on, revealing that the criticism and trolls only motivate her to push harder and deliver even stronger performances on the court.

“I want people to underestimate me. I’m telling you, I have everything bookmarked for the right moment when everything just falls right into my hands………. That’s why I’m always so competitive [and] have a really competitive edge,” Reese had said after a tough stretch when her performance dipped and LSU fell to Clark’s Iowa in the Elite Eight.

Angel Reese’s unwavering resilience continues to stand out, and now she finds a kindred spirit in Mikey Williams. Together, they share the drive to block out the noise and stay focused on their game.