Angel Reese’s admiration for A’ja Wilson has been no secret. “I just love being able to see a woman in sports that thrives through everything,” Reese once expressed. For her, the three-time MVP has been an inspiration and someone she looks up to. And why not? From winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics to leading the league in scoring, Wilson has done it all. However, it wasn’t just her accolades that Reese felt connected to. “It wasn’t an easy journey for her; it has never been an easy journey for me,” she added. So it was only right she cheered when the Aces star confronted her critics again.

In a recent Instagram post, Wilson took to her official account and shared a series of snaps from the basketball court to the Time WOY gala. “Keep Going Up The Ladder, They Mad Make Em Madder 🤭✨‘25 BHM was one for the books 🤍 #BIYTC,” she captioned. But that wasn’t all—her post seemed to be a response to two hateful messages she included in the thread.

One of them read “U a dum h– FR.” Another? Even worse—“You s— at basketball monkey.”

As expected, Reese, who has long admired Wilson, wasn’t about to stay silent. She dropped just one word in Wilson’s comments: “Facts.” And well, of course.

The Black History Month has indeed been one for the books for Wilson. The Aces star began February with her South Carolina #22 being raised to the rafters. “As I look in the rafters and see my jersey, I am reminded how important it is to chase your dreams without fear,” she would say, tears rolling down her face, parents by her side, and spotlight on her as Colonial Life Arena admired in silence. But even before the realization of the honor settled in, the 2024 MVP was out promoting her Nike Signature shoes.

On the 4th of Feb, she unveiled her A’ones as only the 14th player in league history to receive her signature shoe. It was more than a personal milestone for Wilson. “It was just a matter of time, honestly,” she said. “Because we are in it and we live it, we see how much we’re valued and worth. But now to see everyone in the basketball community finally catch up, it means the world.” 

Days later, she was named among the Time’s 2025 Woman of the Year. She joined 12 others on the list, including Nicole Kidman and Jordan Chiles. Then stunning in an All-White Jean Paul Gaultier, she toasted at the Time WOY gala; celebrating resilience and hope. A toast to “doing the impossible—because possible is on the way and it’s just a matter of time!” Angel Reese would have been one to clap the loudest.

A’ja Wilson deserves more, says Angel Reese

A’ja Wilson learned the harsh realities of being black as a kid. In her book, Dear Black Girls, she detailed the instance when she was denied sharing a room during a sleepover. But her mother knew it was inevitable and in a way is glad she learnt it early. “Because now she knew. She knew how to handle it,” added her mother.

Handle it she did.

When she released the book last year, it was an instant hit. Within 2 weeks, it was climbing the New York Times Best Seller list. It was another dream come true for A’ja Wilson. But beyond the book, consciously or not, the Aces star was out inspiring thousands; Angel Reese one of them.

“She (A’Ja Wilson) shows her emotions on social media. I love that about her and a lot of people knock her for that. And I hate that. I hate that she doesn’t get all that she deserves. So I just want to give her that,” she shared on her podcast, Unapologeticaly Angel.

Not just that—even the three-time MVP has acknowledged that she sees elements of herself in Reese. “I saw a little bit of myself in her… I was like, ‘Oh yeah, that is young A’ja, 100%,'” shared Wilson speaking of the Chi-Town Barbie during her Maryland days. Nothing like two superstars supporting each other.