Chicago Sky rising star Angel Reese has attracted widespread attention by responding to criticism of her football style during an Instagram Live stream earlier this week. In a confident tone, she didn’t hesitate to ask critics to “stop making up stories” and urge them to “educate themselves” instead of spreading baseless rumors. This statement comes after a series of reactions on social media from fans and pundits, where Reese’s strong, sometimes overly aggressive, playing style has become the center of controversy since the end of the 2024 season.

Reese, who won the SEC’s top rookie award in college and went on to impress in the WNBA, has long been accustomed to the spotlight. But in recent weeks, she’s been drawn into unwanted chatter about how she plays the game—from her fierce defense to her ability to score in the Son zone. Some believe she relies too heavily on strength instead of technique, while others praise her difference-making explosion. Instead of letting the chatter continue, Reese decided to draw a clear line, saying, “I’m tired of people building things up. Look at me and look at the data before you talk.”

The move marks the end of Reese’s recent public rebuttals. Previously, she often responded on X, once writing, “I played my game, and it worked.” But now, it seems the 22-year-old star wants to focus on preparing for the 2025 season instead of getting bogged down in arguments. “I don’t need to prove myself to anyone but myself,” she said during the livestream, accompanied by a confident smile that has become a trademark.

The fan community quickly reacted. One supporter wrote on X: “Angel just threw some low blows—she’s real!” Meanwhile, some neutral opinions believe Reese needs to learn to ignore the criticism to maintain her professional image. Regardless, this action shows Reese’s maturity in the face of public pressure. With the new season, she seems ready to prove her worth on the field, rather than through words on social media. Will the critics fall silent or keep digging? Only time—and the upcoming matches—will tell.