Angel Reese hand-gestures upset some salty spectators

Angel Reese was named the women’s NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. However, it’s a particular gesture that is the talk of social media.

Many sports fans casually introduced themselves to Angel Reese tonight. If that’s you, welcome, and thanks for watching the LSU Tigers clobber Iowa and win the national championship. Moreover, if you have a problem with Reese’s gesturing to Caitlin Clark, then it’s time for you to get to bed.

For those unaware of the hubbub, Angel Reese was caught gesturing the ‘can’t see me’ hand motion to Clark. The gesture was made famous by professional wrestler John Cena and is as elementary of a trash-talk mechanism as one gets. Either way, Clark flashed the gesture after hitting a late-game jump shot against Louisville in the Elite Eight.

Likewise, Reese mimicked the motion against Clark on Sunday after sinking a basket that practically sealed the win for LSU.

If there was any difference in gesture execution, it’s that Reese went out of her way to be seen. Indeed, Reese walked toward Clark, flashing the ‘can’t see me’ motion before tapping her ring finger. Given the reaction of some on Twitter, one would assume Reese stuck a middle finger in Clark’s face.

Shop BreakingT’s National Champions Collection:

Our issue with the reaction to Angel Reese’s trash talk is that it doesn’t align with the responses to Clark’s. Why was Clark hailed as a competitor while Reese is labeled ‘classless?’ Unfortunately, I suspect race has much to do with it as a lot of complaining comes from a specific demographic.

Yes, old white guys, I’m talking about you. Not all, but some.

Also, Alabama Crimson Tide fans must quiet their hypocritical selves. I won’t divulge the circumstances involving gun violence in and around their campus. However, I’ll point out that their fans continue to rally around the ‘crimson crane’ gesture circa 2021. Also, Dallas Turner mashed Jaxson Dart’s head into the turf after a sack last season.

Are Alabama fans still defending that play?

To Iowa fans’ credit, we’re not seeing much complaining from their group. That or such complaints aren’t crashing the Twitter timeline. However, Clark recently commented that trash talk is good for the game. I agree, Caitlin; trash talk injects personality into a game.

[Reese] enjoys talking trash because that’s what most competitors do

Regardless, Angel Reese is as flashy on the court as she is skilled. She enjoys talking trash because that’s what most competitors do. Watch 10 minutes of a Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant documentary and tell me that the best players don’t trash-talk.

However, such competitors must back up the talk with action. Jordan did it, Kobe did it, and so did Angel Reese. You don’t have to like her, but you must respect her. She just put on an unheard-of season in the sport of women’s basketball. Nobody deserves to strut more than Reese.

Wear that crown, Angel Reese. Clark can’t see you, but we can.