When Angel Reese made her leap to the WNBA, it wasn’t just her impressive NIL deals or standout college performances that earned her massive popularity among basketball fans. A defining moment that thrust her into the spotlight was her infamous taunting during the 2023 National Championship Game, where she made bold gestures toward her rival, Caitlin Clark. That moment showcased her fierce competitive edge. Therefore, when she entered WNBA, Reese was surprised at some of the traditions in the WNBA that seemed to clash with her spirited approach to competition.

In the latest episode of her podcast, the Chicago Sky forward sat down with former NBA star Dwyane Wade, and the conversation soon shifted to the mindset and attitude players bring to the court. But the real surprise came when Reese shared an unexpected observation she made about a particular habit in the WNBA that caught her off guard.

“I didn’t even know it was a thing like hugging other players like on the other team before the game, or dapping anybody. Like I’m not used to that and like it’s enemy. Like we can talk before the game. I’m like what’s going on,” mentioned Reese. The Sky forward comes with a bold competitive mindset which reflected in her rookie-year performances, where she broke the record for most double-doubles in a row.

However, Reese acknowledged that stepping onto the professional stage has changed her perspective on relationships in the league. The LSU alumna further added, “But now I get it like now I get like cuz you know you never know like you can be teammates in college like you probably weren’t going to be teammates. Now in the league, like anybody can get traded any kind of, any given day. So, like you’re going to see a lot of these people on your team over your on my team in the future.”

The 22-year-old forward admitted that learning to balance competitiveness with camaraderie was one of her biggest adjustments during the transition to the pros. Although Reese’s fierce spirit on the court is undeniable, it doesn’t translate to animosity off the court.

Angel Reese’s competitive spirit since her college time

Angel Reese’s fierce attitude toward rivals has been evident since her college days. In fact, her former Maryland head coach, Brenda Frese, once drew a comparison between Reese’s fierce drive and that of another standout player, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, highlighting just how intense Reese’s fire for the game has always been.

During her time at LSU, she made it clear that she wasn’t one to back down. In one game against Tennessee, an argument broke out, and Reese didn’t hesitate to put her opponent in check. While standing at the free-throw line, the LSU star unleashed some sharp words, making sure not just her rival, but the entire Tennessee bench got the message. But her most unforgettable moment came during the 2023 NCAA Final, where she made headlines for her bold actions on the national stage.

Angel Reese faced off against Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes, determined to make her mark and secure the championship against one of college basketball’s brightest stars. And while she succeeded in winning the title, what truly made headlines was the bold John Cena’s ‘you can’t see me’ gesture she directed at Clark. In a memorable moment, Reese raised her hand and pointed to her finger, signaling the championship ring she earned after defeating Clark—a clear message of victory.

Nevertheless, she has also accepted that her competitive mentality doesn’t harbor any animosity toward her opponents. “Once we get out from between those lines, if I see you walking down the street, it’s like, ‘Hey, girl, what’s up? Let’s hang out.’ I think people just take it like we hate each other. Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other. I want everybody to understand that. It’s just a super competitive game,” Reese told CBS Sports earlier.

Even her rival, Caitlin Clark, agrees that trash talk is simply part of the game. Now, as Reese steps onto the biggest stage of her career, she realizes there’s still a lot for her to learn in this new environment, and adapting to the dapping culture is just one of the many.