he 2024 BET Awards Sportswoman of the Year saw some of the biggest names compete for it. Imagine having to choose one winner among stars like Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, Coco Gauff, Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Sha’Carri Richardson, Juju Watkins, and Flau’jae Johnson.
Well, Reese, who is having a great rookie year with Chicago Sky, won the award, and her honorary uncle, Shaquille O’Neal, couldn’t be any happier! Shaq shared The Shade Room‘s post, congratulating Reese on the win on his Instagram Stories.
It is a tough category, and the result has sparked a debate, which only makes this title more prestigious. Reese acknowledged it, writing on X, “Thank you BET for Sportswoman of the Year.” O’Neal shared her X post on his stories too
The timing of the award couldn’t come at a better time for Reese with her shining new record. The star couldn’t attend the award ceremony in person because the Sky hosted the Minnesota Lynx at Wintrust Arena on Sunday. The BET honor probably cushions the 62-70 loss to the Lynx. However, Reese looked great in the game.
She scored 10 points and led the team with 16 rebounds in under 35 minutes. Sunday added a 10th straight double-double to her tally. That makes Reese the first player in WNBA history to record 10 consecutive double-doubles in a single season, surpassing Shaq’s TNT colleague, Candace Parker’s 2015 record of nine.
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Angel Reese outshines A’ja Wilson—Is she the new face of women’s basketball?
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‘Bayou Barbie’ currently leads the rookie class in offensive rebounds with 81. At this pace, she is expected to break Yolanda Griffith’s record (162) for most in a single season. She also ranks second among the rookies in points per game, averaging 13.3.
Then, last month, she became the first WNBA rookie to tally seven consecutive double-doubles. It was yet another moment worthy of a cheer from Shaq. The Big Diesel had the same reaction then – spreading the word about Reese’s achievements.
Shaq has been a constant support for his fellow alum since her LSU days. Celebrating her wins, standing against trolls, or signing her on his new venture with Reebok, the NBA champion has been a proud ally. Now as she surpasses Parker, who he holds in high regard, Shaq is thrilled and wants to see the WNBA star achieve a lot more.
Shaquille O’Neal has a bold prediction for his niece!
The BET award and a WNBA record are just the start. Parker won Rookie of the Year in 2008 and that’s the goal Shaquille O’Neal has set for Angel. She was selected seventh overall, behind her NCAA arch-nemesis and no.1 draft pick, Caitlin Clark. Their rivalry has made the WNBA a dramatic and entertaining watch. Debating who’d take ROTY between both is one of the many discourses regarding them.
Shaq’s loyalty is clearly on Reese’s side. He is like a father figure for her and he had even walked her to center court on March 3 for her senior day ceremony. Thus, after Clark and Reese faced off last time, and Sky won, Shaq shared a fan’s post that made an open declaration. “I’m calling it now, Angel Reese will win Rookie of the Year.”
When it comes to the debate about the WNBA being harsh on its rookies, Shaq has referred to it as “professional jealousy” on The Big Podcast more than once and he’s confident both players will only get stronger. When it comes to the hate though, he is in Reese’s corner.
“I don’t want her to apologize. I want her to stay beautiful, stay classy and continue making a name for herself and taking care of her family,” Shaquille O’Neal had said in an exclusive with the PEOPLE. Well, Angel Reese seems right on the right path. What do you think
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.
