The sports world gathered on Monday for the WNBA draft, and amidst the sea of hopeful faces and shimmering gowns, stood 6’3” Angel Reese, a 21-year-old basketball prodigy from LSU. Dripping in an Amalia Noir Gown from Bronx and Banco, Angel graciously and emotionally accepted her induction into the Chicago Sky.

Joining her in Chicago is longtime friend Kamilla Cardoso. Angel and Kamilla were rivals this past NCAA season at LSU and South Carolina, respectively, but they will now join forces in the WNBA.

Angel’s path to the big leagues wasn’t paved with accolades and adoration alone. Throughout her college career at LSU, she found herself at the epicenter of controversy, with whispers of her alleged ‘sassiness’ and ‘bad attitude’ following her like a shadow.

The drama peaked with a supposed rivalry between Angel and fellow lady baller Caitlin Clark when Reese approached Clark during a NCAA championship game, channeling WWE star John Cena with a “you can’t see me” gesture, followed by a pointed reference to her soon-to-be championship ring.

Although the ladies have cleared the rumors and stated that there is no beef, that narrative seemed to overshadow their talents on the court.

There have been a lot of headlines and sensationalism to surround Angel, facing benchings, threats, and the relentless scrutiny of being a public figure in a sport that demands perfection. Yet, through it all, she’s remained steadfast in her love for basketball and her commitment to rising above the noise.

As Angel begins her run in the WNBA, we eagerly await the next chapter in her story, knowing that whatever challenges may come her way, she’ll meet them with the same courage and fierce determination that have defined her journey thus far.