Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has had enough of WNBA referees and their poor officiating. She made that clear this past Sunday following a close 80-75 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Speaking with the media during the postgame press conference, Reese was asked if there were any positive takeaways the Sky could carry with them moving forward. However, the second-year player decided to use the moment to voice her frustrations with WNBA officiating.
Reese acknowledged how the Sky fought hard in the game, but expressed that it’s tough when the referees aren’t doing their job. She explained that she brought up the free-throw disparity to an official during the game, and the referee responded by saying, “That’s not my job.”
That comment, along with the missed foul calls, left Reese frustrated, as she emphasized that the officiating needs to be fixed. She concluded her statement by saying she doesn’t care if she gets fined, because it’s cheap, and she’s “tired of this s--t.”
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese says WNBA officiating needs to be fixed
Some fans may be tempted to overlook these comments since basketball players generally feel they’re being poorly officiated, but Reese is right.
WNBA officiating has consistently been an issue, and it was especially a problem in Sunday’s game between the Sky and the Lynx, as Minnesota finished with 17 free throw attempts to Chicago’s eight. Reese made sure to continue highlighting that on social media following the game.
She added to her comments with a post tagging the WNBA’s official account, saying do better, in all caps. Reese also commented on a picture of her clearly being fouled, despite it not being called, with one simple word: diabolical.
To make matters worse, Reese’s opponents agree that they were getting away with fouls on her. Minnesota players Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton were on a livestream reacting to Reese’s comments, and they all admitted Carleton had at least one clear foul that wasn’t called.
Carleton even confidently admitted to fouling, expressing that she was trying anything to keep Reese from getting rebounds. They all acknowledged they were still unsuccessful, as Reese finished the game with 17 rebounds, including one where Carleton had her arms wrapped around her waist.
Reese, who was just named to her second All-Star game in just her second season, has done her part by calling out the league and the officials. Now it’s on the WNBA to do it’s part and hold referees accountable, and demand better performances from them.