Fact Check: Angel Reese has not been banned from WNBA.
Louisiana State University standout Angel Reese has not been banned from the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), contrary to posts shared online promoting a false narrative of conflict between two of the season’s top WNBA rookies.
Posts surfaced on Facebook, opens new tab with side-by-side photographs of Chicago Sky’s Reese and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, saying: “Breaking: WNBA Bans Angel Reese for Life: ‘Learn Some Manners First.’”
A spokesperson for the WNBA said in an email that Reese “has NOT been removed” from the league.
The text in the posts was first published in a headline on the Esspots website on June 20, opens new tab. The article was tagged as satire and the site carries a disclaimer, opens new tab saying it “specializes in satire, parody and humor.”
There is no such statement on the WNBA website, opens new tab or social media channels, opens new tab. There are also no credible media reports citing such a statement.
On June 16, before the Esspots article was published, Reese and Clark faced off in a match that saw Indiana Fever win 91-83 over visiting team Chicago Sky. In that match, Reese fouled Clark when swiping at the ball from behind, hitting Clark on the head.
Three days after the satirical headline was published, Reese played for Chicago Sky in their win against Indiana Fever, opens new tab on June 23.
According to ESPN, opens new tab, Reese said after the game: “I think both teams tonight did an amazing job putting on a show. It was fun. I had a great time, I’m sure the other team had a great time. I’m just happy we won tonight.”
Reese did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
VERDICT
False. Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese has not been banned from the WNBA. The narrative was first published as a satire but later surfaced on social media without that context.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work
