“Everybody saw the ‘World Tour,’ they didn’t see the ‘Work Tour’…which is fine,” Paige Bueckers said before the season began. “They see me like three or four hours a day and think they know my entire 24 hours, which is cool. The work will always show. I’m a believer in that.” Well, it did show! In what turned out to be her final ride with UConn, Bueckers left it all on the floor. A true storybook ending to her Huskies’ journey.

Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, and a few other WNBA stars are already taking the league to a new high, add Bueckers to this list, the women’s basketball sphere just gets bigger with the Huskies star set to be the NO. 1 overall pick this year. When we talk about the faces reshaping women’s basketball, Clark and Reese are front and center—but is the WNBA treating Reese the same as others? A recent incident might just explain why Angel Reese continues to fight for her seat at the table.

Paige was locked in this season. She averaged 19.9 points, 4.6 assists, and shot an impressive 53.4% from the field. But it was during March Madness where she truly showed out—dropping three straight 30-point games when the lights were the brightest. She came in with a mission and made sure to finish strong. Now? All eyes shift to the WNBA!

The WNBA’s Instagram page made it official that Paige Bueckers is heading to the draft. But it wasn’t the announcement that stirred the pot. It was the tribute picture. The post showed Paige looking up toward past No. 1 picks, including Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese! Yep, even though Reese wasn’t a first-overall pick, she was right there in the mix. And that didn’t sit right with a lot of fans. Social media? Oh, it lit up with reactions. Let’s check out what people had to say!

Fans fume as Angel Reese makes Paige Bueckers’ tribute post

Fans were quick to voice their frustration over Angel Reese’s inclusion in the WNBA’s draft post alongside Paige Bueckers. And they didn’t hold back. “Reese over Napheesa? C’mon,” one fan wrote. Another joined in, “Ummm they put Angel Reese instead of Kelsey Plum.” And someone else added, “Reese instead of Sabrina Ionescu?” Safe to say—plenty of fans had other names in mind for that spot.

And honestly, can you blame them for being upset? The graphic was mainly about first-overall picks. Angel Reese, who went 7th in last year’s draft, didn’t exactly fit that mold. Reese had a standout rookie season with the Chicago Sky, averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds, earning All-Star honors and setting a WNBA record for most rebounds in a season. So yeah–some fans questioned her presence in the post. In her defense, Lisa Leslie was also in the graphic—and she was the 7th pick too. So maybe the outrage is a bit overblown? One fan certainly thought so, saying, “The Angel Reese hate is getting so out of control! It really bothers y’all that she is a young, successful, and Black woman!”

Top Comment by Rob m

Had NOTHING to do with her color. How many other Black women are in that pic. Let’s stop making it...more

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And to be fair, they’ve got a point. Reese, along with Caitlin Clark, brought a whole new energy to the W last season. That rivalry is electric every time they play against each other. When the Fever 100-81 last year against the Sky it pulled in 1.6 million viewers, peaking at 1.92 million. One of the W’s biggest numbers in two decades. Their matchups helped the WNBA hit record viewership in 2024, and Reese’s flair, from her trash talk to her fashion, made her a fan favorite for many. That success will continue this season. They’re set to headline the WNBA’s first-ever Rival Week this season. People want to see them battle it out. Having Reese in the post isn’t surprising given how popular she actually is.

Of course, not everyone had a problem with it. In fact, some fans were all in on the graphic. “Omg I love this!!!!!!!” one fan commented. Another fan joined in and kept it simply by saying, “Graphic ate.” And honestly, what’s not to love about the graphic?

It showed Paige, Kiki, and Morrow — three of college basketball’s biggest stars –looking ahead at legends/potential legends like Caitlin Clark, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, etc. Every single player featured is a winner in their own right. Now, with Bueckers joining the Wings and Reese anchoring the Sky’s frontcourt, the WNBA’s future looks bright, fueled by talent and a touch of drama. And now, these soon-to-be WNBA rookies are getting ready to chase greatness of their own. A perfect visual for what’s next.