ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike Pushes Back Against Angel Reese Criticism

ESPN basketball personality Chiney Ogwumike wants people to give Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese a break as she navigates her second WNBA season.

“Let her cook. In the words of GloRilla, let her cook,” Ogwumike, 33, told Us Weekly exclusively at the 2025 ESPYs on Wednesday, July 16. “I feel like the microscope that these women are under is something that’s so unparalleled. And we’re a league where we are sisters and we stand together.”

Reese, 23, is getting ready to participate in her second All-Star game in as many seasons in the WNBA, but she’s become a lightning rod for online vitriol — some of it due to her unapologetic nature and some of it just a product of racism.

“I believe for all of our players, we have to show them support as they grow and try to find themselves,” continued Ogwumike, a two-time All-Star herself. “The weight [of] the crown that she wears is very heavy, but she wears it with grace and her game is just blossoming.”

After struggling to start the season, Reese has emerged as one of the most dominant post players in the league. On July 12, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 40 career double-doubles, doing so in only 54 games.

“If you’ve seen this year — I did the numbers — in May, she was averaging 10 points. In June, 14. This month, 18 points per game,” Ogwumike said. “She’s showing her guard skills, she’s leading her franchise.”

Off the court, Reese has found just as much success. She was recently named the cover athlete for the WNBA edition of NBA 2K26, has the most social media followers of any WNBA player, has a signature shoe with Reebok and started her own foundation to support young girls in underrepresented communities.

“She’s a superstar in my eyes for what she does both on and off the court,” Ogwumike concluded. “And I want her to feel confident and know that people have her back and how she grows and that she’s doing everything that she needs to be. And then some.”

Ogwumike isn’t the only star athlete to jump to Reese’s defense. Sheryl Swoopes, Shaquille O’Neal and Gilbert Arenas have all spoken out after former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III attempted to denounce a racist image of Reese shared on social media by resharing the image and accusing her of hating Caitlin Clark — something Reese has continually denied.

Reese and Clark, also 23, were set to meet in the All-Star Game, taking place Saturday, July 19, at Clark’s home arena in Indianapolis, but a groin injury will keep Clark on the sidelines. Reese, for her part, missed Chicago’s last game before the break with a leg injury and her status for the weekend is still unclear.