Conservative sports commentator Jason Whitlock walked back his harsh criticism of WNBA star Angel Reese on Sunday, after she led the Chicago Sky to a thrilling victory over the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Sky.
Reese had arguably the best game of her professional career with 25 points and 16 rebounds. Reese also had a double-double in her eighth straight game, extending her WNBA record.
The performance from the former LSU national champion was stunning and caught the attention of many beyond the league’s traditional fan base.
Those giving props to Reese included Whitlock, who has been a staunch critic of the 6-foot-3 star, for most of her time in the spotlight.
‘Great game from Angel Reese. She was properly focused from the jump,’ Whitlock said on X. ‘However, (Indiana Fever head coach) Christie Sides is a bad coach. At some point, you have to put (Aliyah) Boston on Reese and live with whatever (Camilla Cardoso) does.’
Angel Reese had 25 points and 16 rebounds in the Chicago Sky’s victory over the Indiana Fever
Caitlin Clark has been the focal point of the rise in popularity of women’s basketball
Whitlock’s positive message towards Reese was met with cynicism, proved by the commentator misspelling Cardoso’s name in his message.
Yet, Whitlock could not fully back Reese and found time to sandwich another dig at the Sky star.
‘She’s unskilled. But she also has a higher bball IQ than I gave her credit for,’ Whitlock continued. ‘She knows how to play. She’s a terrific competitor. Her game is to establish post position and she works hard to get it. That type of effort will make her highly effective.’
‘If she keeps this focus and attitude, she’ll become a legit star. We shall see,’ Whitlock added. ‘The Caitlin Clark Effect. Regular-season games feel like monumental moments.’
Whitlock got back to his usual shtick hours later, calling Taylor Swift ‘just another welfare queen’ attached to a video of the ‘Anti-Hero’ singer on stage in front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium.
ESPN personality and longtime SportsCenter anchor Stan Verrett called out Whitlock for his ‘clown’ behavior.
‘You have been flapping your gums about Angel Reese like a jealous teenage girl for weeks,’ Verrett said. ‘I thought she was «unskilled.» Now you want to make her the focus of the defense. You’re a clown. And it’s «Cardoso» not «Cardosa.» And you call yourself a journalist.’
