Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese is one of the biggest stars in the WNBA, but she was not named one of the starters in the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game. It sounds like that did not necessarily come as a surprise to her, but she was surprised that none of her teammates were selected for that honor, either.
During a recent interview, Reese spoke out against the All-Star voting as she called it a “slap in the face” that no Dream player was amongst the starters.
‘I expect to be disrespected’
The Atlanta Dream have been amongst the top teams in the WNBA throughout the season. However, when the All-Star teams were announced this week, no Dream player was among the starters. Reese was not happy about that.
While Reese claims that she was not surprised that she was not among the starters, she was quite frustrated to find out that veteran guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray were not starters in the All-Star game.
“I expect to be disrespected,” Reese said via ESPN. “For those two though, I think they work so hard and they put a lot of work in, and the way that they’re guarded every game and they [have to] adjust. The reason why we’re where we are is because of those two.
“For us not to have anyone was just a slap in the face, but they’re not going to say anything. I am.”
Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell were announced as starters among guards. Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Jessica Shepard, Aliyah Boston, Gabby Williams, and Natasha Howard were named starters in the frontcourt.
“Congrats to the ones that were nominated, they were well-deserved,” Reese said. “But it’s a very big shocker to see that none of us were starters, especially where we are as a team in the league.
“I’m sure we’re still going to be All-Stars. I have no doubt in my mind that we still will be, but I think it is important to note that none of us were starters on a team that has had so much success this year.”
Reese is currently leading the WNBA in rebounds for the third consecutive season, averaging 11.8 boards per game.
Reese Decided to Speak Out
Reese said that she has intentionally avoided speaking too much during the media after all the negative attention she has received in previous years, which is something she talked about even before the season started. But when it came to the apparent disrespect her teammates received, Reese could no longer remain silent.
“I haven’t really said much this year in the media, because honestly it’s been tough for me over the last two years,” Reese said. “But I feel like it was important for me to speak for my teammates that don’t necessarily speak for themselves all the time.
“I know the work they put in. I know the reason why I’m in Atlanta is because of them. I know that the team success is based off those two as well.”
The Dream currently has a 12-9 record after a five-game losing streak.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.