When the weight of expectations seems unbearable and self-doubt creeps in, a few empowering words can make all the difference. Angel Reese, the WNBA rookie and standout star from LSU, has a knack for inspiring on and off the basketball court.
On the court, she’s dominated. In her first WNBA season, she’s already broken the league record for consecutive double-doubles and some sports analysts argue she deserves WNBA Rookie of the Year honors. In college, she helped her LSU Tigers team to win their first-ever national championship in 2023 and was the Most Outstanding Player. Her senior season, she was named SEC Player of the Year, tallying more than 20 double-doubles.
Reese has been chastised for trash-talking and expressing passion in games, but she seems to have answers for most of those criticisms. Her insights may just help you navigate the challenges of your own daily life, deal with others’ opinions, and tackle self-image struggles. So here, we’ve compiled a collection of Angel Reese’s 10 most stirring quotes to help you rise above negativity and face life’s hurdles.
1. Resist the Mold
“I don’t fit the narrative; I don’t fit in the box y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto — y’all told me that all year. So this is for the girls that look like me, that’s going to speak up on what you believe in. It’s unapologetically you, and that’s what I did it for tonight.”
Whenever you need a boost to embrace your true self or challenge social stereotypes, these words from Angel Reese can help motivate you to champion authenticity.
2. Breaking Barriers in Sports
“It’s going to be hard for them to accept that women can play as hard as men but we kinda give them no choice at this point.”
Most of us at some point come face-to-face with societal or cultural norms that try to limit our growth. Here, Reese addresses the gender disparities in sports, highlighting the relentless energy and skill of women athletes.
3. Courage to Choose Happiness
“I took the scariest step of my life! I had to bet on myself & stand firm on what I wanted for myself! TAKE THE STEP THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!!!”
Afraid to make the move you know you should? This tweet by Reese underscores the importance of taking bold steps for personal fulfillment.
4. Guard Your Truth
“Please don’t believe everything you read.”
You don’t have to share everything about yourself. During her unexpected two-week absence from the LSU team in November 2023, Reese used this tweet to exemplify the strength in silence and the importance of privacy amidst speculation. It’s also a good reminder to not always pay attention to what people are saying.
5. Embrace Your Uniqueness
“Never feel like you’re too much for somebody. Or you’re too loud. Or you’re too ghetto. Be who you are.”
The only way to find peace is to ignore the expectations of others. With this quote, Reese inspires us to let go of what others think we should or shouldn’t do and advocates for self-acceptance.
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6. Cherishing the Challenge
“I’m going to have to work my butt off every single day and grind. And who wouldn’t want that? I don’t want anything in my life to be easy.”
Don’t be afraid to fail or struggle. Reflecting on her transition to the WNBA, Reese speaks to the value of hard work and the personal growth that comes from facing challenges head-on.
7. Pride in Passion
“Let’s normalize women showing passion for the game instead of it being ‘embarrassing.’”
It’s good to care and to show that you care. With this quote, Reese calls for a cultural shift to embrace and celebrate the visible passion and emotion women show in sports.
8. Rivalry and Respect
“I love Caitlin; we’ve been competing since we were in AAU. It was always fun, always competitive. One day, hopefully, we could even be teammates. She is a great player, shooter, person and teammate. The world is always going to have a good girl and a bad girl. I’ll take that I’m going to be the bad guy because I know I’ve grown women’s basketball and inspired people.”
Remember that overblown reaction to Angel Reese showing Caitlin Clark her ring finger at the end of the women’s NCAA championship game? You would have thought the two couldn’t stand each other. But, they both understand competition and not taking things personally. With this quote, Reese shows she understands the complex dynamics of competitive sports and respect amidst rivalry.
9. Underestimation as Motivation
“I want people to underestimate me. I’m telling you, I have everything bookmarked for the right moment when everything just falls right into my hands.”
Doubters can be a blessing. Here, Reese discusses using doubters as motivation, waiting for the perfect moment to prove those who didn’t believe in her otherwise.
10. Human Beyond the Game
“I just want them to know, I’m still human.”
We saved this Angel Reese quote for last because it’s just as important as the ones where she expresses confidence. Here, she touches on the vulnerability that comes with being in the public eye, reminding fans and critics alike of her humanity.
Angel Reese photo in featured image: By CCS Pictures – https://www.flickr.com/photos/125545173@N06/53444728169/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=144341633
