Angel Reese Under Fire? Kelsey Mitchell Calls for Fair Treatment from Fans
As the spotlight continues to intensify around WNBA rookies, fan reactions have been anything but quiet. While Angel Reese has quickly become one of the league’s most talked-about players, not all the attention has been positive — and now, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell is speaking out.
Mitchell, a veteran presence and teammate of Caitlin Clark, addressed the increasingly polarized fan discourse surrounding Reese, particularly on social media. “At the end of the day, we’re all competitors, we’re all women working our tails off,” Mitchell said in a postgame interview. “Angel deserves just as much grace and support as anyone else out here.”
Reese, a standout for the Chicago Sky, has faced criticism for her on-court intensity and unapologetic confidence — qualities that many fans admire, but some view as controversial. Mitchell suggested that much of the backlash has little to do with Reese’s play and more to do with how certain athletes are perceived.
“It’s easy to praise one player and tear another down,” Mitchell added. “But what message does that send, especially when these young women are out here making history?”
The comment comes amid an ongoing media frenzy around Caitlin Clark’s transition into the league, which has, at times, been compared — and contrasted — to Reese’s. But Mitchell made it clear: there’s room for both.
“Competition is good for the league. So is personality. Angel brings that. She brings fire,” Mitchell said. “That should be celebrated, not attacked.”
Her words resonated with fans online, many of whom applauded her for promoting unity in a time when social media often thrives on division. As the season progresses, players like Mitchell are reminding the public: fair treatment shouldn’t be selective — it should be the standard.
