Angel Reese’s Career in Crisis: The Downfall of a Rising Star

Angel Reese, once a promising young talent in the WNBA, has recently found herself at the center of a controversy that has shaken the league to its core. Reese, born on May 6, 2002, in Baltimore, was poised to be one of the next big names in women’s basketball. Her career began with impressive promise; she played college basketball for the University of Maryland before transferring to Louisiana State University (LSU), where she was a standout player. Her professional debut for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA came with high expectations. However, a steroid scandal has now derailed what was once considered a bright future.

A Promising Start That Fell Short

Reese was highly anticipated to make a significant impact in her rookie season with the Chicago Sky. She came into the league with accolades and a reputation for her rebounding prowess, height, and physicality. Despite the high hopes, her performances did not live up to the hype. While her competitor, Caitlin Clark, was setting records and scoring an incredible 761 points in her debut season, Reese struggled to achieve double-digit scores in many of her first games. This contrast between her and Clark only added to the mounting pressure.

The comparisons with Clark were brutal, and Reese appeared to be falling behind, leading her to resort to desperate measures to stay in the limelight. Reports emerged that she had used steroids to gain a competitive edge—a revelation that sent shockwaves throughout the basketball community.

The Steroid Scandal: A Career-Altering Decision

The use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports has long been a contentious issue, with strict policies enforced across professional leagues, including the WNBA. While some players in the past have faced suspensions for steroid use, these suspensions typically ranged from a few games to a maximum of 20 games, allowing the player to eventually return to the court. However, Reese’s case was different; she received a lifetime suspension from the league, making her the first WNBA player to face such a severe consequence.

The decision to ban Reese for life has been considered by some as a harsh but necessary move, given the circumstances. For Reese, it was not just about using steroids but also about the negative influence her actions had on her team, the Chicago Sky. Her steroid use reportedly contributed to a toxic environment within the team, and her inability to deliver results on the court made matters worse.

The Role of Coach Teresa Weatherspoon

The scandal did not only involve Angel Reese. Teresa Weatherspoon, Reese’s coach at the Chicago Sky, was also implicated. Allegations surfaced that Weatherspoon had been aware of Reese’s steroid use and had even encouraged it as a way to boost the young player’s performance. This claim led to Weatherspoon’s suspension from the league and termination from her coaching role at the Sky. For many, this marked a tragic downfall for a coach who had previously been respected in the world of women’s basketball.

Weatherspoon’s role in the scandal was seen as one of enabling bad behavior rather than correcting it. Instead of steering Reese away from using performance-enhancing substances, she allegedly supported the move, all in an attempt to make Reese more competitive. This choice not only cost Weatherspoon her job but also stained her reputation, turning a once-respected figure into a symbol of poor leadership.

Fallout for the Chicago Sky

The scandal significantly impacted the Chicago Sky’s season. Once considered a team with playoff potential, the Sky’s performance drastically declined following the suspension of Reese and Weatherspoon. Before the 2024 Olympic break, the team had been holding steady, but afterward, they went on a losing streak, finishing with a disappointing 13-27 record. The locker room reportedly became chaotic, with players frustrated by the focus on Reese, who was seen as receiving preferential treatment despite her poor performances.

The team’s chemistry deteriorated, and morale was low, with many players feeling sidelined in favor of Reese, whose actions were seen as a distraction rather than a contribution. It became clear that the Sky’s strategy of centering their hopes around Reese had backfired.

The Jealousy and the Rivalry with Caitlin Clark

Throughout her career, Angel Reese had always been compared to Caitlin Clark. While Clark soared to new heights, becoming a record-breaking superstar, Reese’s struggle to keep up was evident. Some have speculated that jealousy over Clark’s success may have been a factor in Reese’s decision to use steroids. Clark’s success—achieving numerous accolades and endorsement deals without controversy—contrasted sharply with Reese’s tumultuous journey. This rivalry may have pushed Reese to take extreme measures in an attempt to bridge the gap.

Reese’s frustrations were not just limited to her performances on the court. She often engaged in trash talk and attempted to generate controversy, accusing Clark of benefiting from racial favoritism. Yet, even as Reese sought to deflect blame, her efforts could not hide the fact that she was struggling to make an impact.

The Impact on the WNBA’s Credibility

The scandal involving Angel Reese is more than just an individual athlete’s downfall; it has raised concerns about the credibility of the WNBA itself. The league has been striving to increase its visibility and draw more fans, but incidents like this can tarnish the sport’s image. The WNBA has never faced a steroid scandal of this magnitude, and it is now grappling with how to rebuild trust with its audience.

The timing of the scandal is particularly unfortunate, as the league has made significant progress in gaining attention and building a larger fan base. The WNBA has worked tirelessly to elevate women’s basketball beyond the perception of being a “sidekick” to the NBA. Now, this controversy threatens to undermine that progress.

Lessons to be Learned

Angel Reese’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of choosing shortcuts over hard work and integrity. Her decision to use steroids not only cost her career but also affected her team’s dynamics, her coach’s reputation, and the perception of the league as a whole. The fallout from her actions is a stark reminder of the importance of ethics in sports and the long-term consequences of trying to cheat the system.

As for Teresa Weatherspoon, the scandal underscores the critical role coaches play in guiding young athletes. Weatherspoon’s failure to steer Reese in the right direction has left a lasting mark on her own career. For young players entering professional sports, having the right mentors is crucial, and this incident illustrates what can happen when mentorship goes awry.

A Tarnished Legacy

Instead of being remembered as one of the WNBA’s rising stars, Angel Reese is now known for a scandal that ended her career before it truly began. Her legacy, which could have been filled with records and championships, is now tainted by the choice to use performance-enhancing drugs. The ban marks the end of a journey that began with promise but ended in disgrace.

In the end, Reese’s story is a reminder that while talent can open doors, character determines how far one can go. The basketball world will move on, but the shadow of this scandal will linger for years to come.