Angel Reese’s Third BET Sportswoman of the Year Win: Triumph, Backlash, and the Internet’s Obsession.

When Angel Reese accepted her third consecutive BET Sportswoman of the Year award, the moment should have been pure celebration.

Instead, it became a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about sports stardom, social media narratives, and the peculiar way the internet chooses its heroes and villains.

What should have been a night of recognition for one of the WNBA’s brightest young stars instead revealed the complicated, often toxic dynamics that swirl around Black women in sports.

A Moment of Triumph, A World of Pressure

As the award was announced, Angel Reese’s emotions were palpable. The moment was bittersweet—she was grateful, certainly, but the weight of public scrutiny was obvious.

In her acceptance, she thanked her teammate Ariel for unwavering support and reflected on the meaning of the award.

“This is my third one. Obviously, it really meant something to other people today because it’s me,” Reese said, her voice tinged with both pride and weariness.

She spoke candidly about her journey: “I just focus on basketball. I come in and work every day. I don’t complain, I don’t care about anything else. I have bad days, I haven’t been playing well at all, and I can sit here and just mope around and point the finger, but it’s been me. I take accountability. I come in every day and try to be better than the next and better than the last. I know my teammates trust me. Ariel has my back for everything, and I just love that—being a part of a team that I know really trusts me and my work.”

For Reese, the job is about more than fame or accolades. “I just want to come to work every day and go home. That’s all I wanted—just coming to work and being able to enjoy my job that I love. People would die and kill to have this job, and being able to play with the best players in the world means a lot to me. I put my all into this.”

Internet Outrage and Manufactured Controversy

But the internet, as always, had other plans. Instead of celebrating Reese’s achievement, social media erupted with criticism, much of it unfounded and tinged with jealousy or resentment.

Some of the loudest voices questioned why Reese deserved the award, with detractors claiming that other athletes, like Claressa Shields, were more deserving.

Shields herself made headlines with a public reaction that many felt crossed a line, fueling further debate and division.

Commentators noted the hypocrisy: “All of a sudden, y’all care about the BET Awards because Angel Reese won.

Nobody was talking about the BET Awards last year, or the year before that. Most of the conversation now is just about Angel Reese winning Sportswoman of the Year.”

The backlash wasn’t just about the award—it was about Reese herself. As one observer put it, “They mad people mad at Angel. Imagine being pressed by a girl who just likes to play basketball. It’s not her fault she’s being rewarded for her impact.”

The criticism, often laced with coded language and personal attacks, reflected a broader discomfort with seeing a confident, unapologetic Black woman succeed on her own terms.

The Impact Beyond the Court

What many critics overlooked is the criteria for the award itself. It isn’t just about stats or championships—it’s about impact, both on and off the court.

Reese’s foundation work with Magic Johnson, her efforts to bridge the worlds of music and sports, and her role as a positive influence for young fans all factored into her selection.

“Who has a foundation with Magic Johnson? Angel Reese. They had a foundation to help kids. Angel Reese has bridged the gap for music and sports,” one supporter pointed out. “Nobody would have cared about this award if Angel Reese didn’t win.”

The internet’s obsession with Reese isn’t new. Ever since her college days, where she led LSU to a national championship, she’s been a lightning rod for both admiration and animosity.

Some of it is rooted in old rivalries—fans of teams who lost to Reese’s LSU squad seem unable to let go of their grudge. “These folks mad like they were part of our team that lost to LSU. But y’all weren’t part of the team,” another commentator joked.

Media Narratives and Social Pressures

Much of the criticism Reese faces is fueled by media narratives that cast her as a villain or a divisive figure.

“The WNBA has built this whole wave off of Angel Reese, using her as some kind of villain,” said one observer. False quotes and rumors—like the fabricated claim that Reese said Brittney Griner could beat Allen Iverson—spread online, muddying the waters and fueling resentment.

The scrutiny isn’t limited to young fans or casual viewers. “It ain’t even just the young folks—it’s the older folk, too. They’re pushing the same agendas the media puts out there,” lamented one longtime follower.

The result is a toxic cycle where Reese is simultaneously celebrated and vilified, her every move dissected by people who have never met her.

A Reflection on Black Women in Sports

Perhaps most troubling is the way the backlash exposes deeper issues within the culture. “Grown men jealous of a 23-year-old woman—boy, it’s embarrassing, especially for you Black men. It’s really embarrassing,” said one fan.

“I never grew up with no men who hated on women. We love women, especially the pretty women like Angel Reese. We all liked to hang with the pretty ladies, chill, and talk to them. We weren’t hating on no women. I ain’t come from that kind of culture.”

The new generation, it seems, is caught in a web of envy, media manipulation, and misplaced outrage. “Folks weird. It ain’t just the young folks—it’s the older folk, too,” the commentator continued. “The media have brainwashed you to hate on a girl you don’t even know—a 23-year-old basketball player.”

The Real Story: Resilience and Community

In the end, Angel Reese’s third BET Sportswoman of the Year award is about more than individual achievement. It’s a testament to resilience in the face of relentless scrutiny, a reminder of the power of community, and a challenge to anyone who thinks Black women in sports should apologize for their success.

Reese’s words, and the support from her teammates and fans, cut through the noise: “I just want to come to work every day and enjoy my job that I love. People would die and kill to have this job, and being able to play with the best in the world means a lot to me. I put my all into this.”

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the internet may not be a real place, but the impact of Angel Reese’s journey is very real. Her story is a mirror, reflecting both the best and worst of how we treat our champions. For every critic, there are countless supporters who see in Reese not just a great athlete, but a role model who refuses to be defined by anyone else’s expectations.

So, what do you think? Is the backlash justified, or is Angel Reese simply the latest target of a culture that loves to build up—and tear down—its brightest stars? Join the conversation, because this debate is far from over.