Angel Reese Finally Gets Praise From Candace Parker Over C-Tier Label

Angel Reese is already having a historic campaign in just her third season in the WNBA. Drafted by the Chicago Sky as the seventh pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese is undoubtedly one of the best players in the league today.

She did not take long to make a name for herself in the league. In her rookie season, she was named as an All-Star and even set the league single-season rebounding record.

The 24-year-old is having an incredible 2026 campaign and has reached the WNBA Finals in her first ever postseason. However prior to this season, WNBA legend Candace Parker stayed away from the Reese bandwagon.

Last year, Parker sorted 10 WNBA players into tiers for a Complex Sports segment. She placed Reese at C tier and praised her for her offensive rebounding. Since then, Reese has broken multiple records and even won the Defensive Player of the Year award this season.

On her podcast, Candace Parker admitted she ranked Reese that low last year.

A lot of times people are coming at me about the tier ranking. When I filmed this, obviously, she’d only been in the league one year. The tremendous growth that she’s made and the impact. I was wrong. They’re in the finals. She’s defensive player of the year. There’s no hate. I am just giving my opinion. So congratulations to Angel Reese and the Dream for making the finals.

Candace Parker on Post Moves

Candace Parker responds to Angel Reese’s tier rankings ahead of the WNBA Finals. https://t.co/pYyQ30je5X

— Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston (@PostMovesShow) October 13, 2026

The three-time WNBA champion believed Reese was exceptional at offensive rebounding, but her overall game still lacked in many areas. With the tier list ranging from S to D, Reese landing in the second-worst category in Parker’s ranking surprised many.

Her ranking even saw a subtle response from Reese, who is one of the most criticized players in the league. However, her performances this year have silenced her critics and even made Candace Parker eat her words.

WNBA fans react to Candace Parker admitting she was wrong about Angel Reese

Reese has often been compared to Caitlin Clark as both players were drafted into the league in the same year. Their rivalry has been hyped as the future of the WNBA. While Clark was clearly viewed by many as a much superior player, the narrative has changed a bit this season.

After Parker praised Reese, fans quickly reacted across social media.

Nah don’t gaslight us now Candace. You placed Caitlyn amongst Vet with championship pedigrees like Kelsey Plum and Sabrina Ionescu. You didn’t slight her her for it either. But with Angel, now it’s about the comparison to other greats at her position 😐. Just admit your biased and stop wasting our time.

— 3illie (@LipseyWill36792) October 13, 2026

@PostMovesShow Oh Candace girl …. https://t.co/mRTdf90xPe

— A ★ (@heyyarnolddd) October 13, 2026

@PostMovesShow She thinks she is that important enough in angel life to contribute to her growth 😂 No,ma’m….You nottttt You were tearing her down for clicks and likes but you see her thriving now and you think you inspired that? 🤡

— J A D E 🌸 (@Jade4reva) October 13, 2026

@PostMovesShow “she’d only been in the league one year” I know that ain’t CC in the A tier and Paige in the B tier though 🧐🧐 she think we’re stupid?

— Xavier Vachon (@XavierIsLovely) October 13, 2026

@PostMovesShow She was hating. CC and her came in the same time but put her higher than Reese. So what was the reasoning for that?

— Showtime (@justgamesbro) October 13, 2026

@PostMovesShow Candace people was not saying she should be on Aja tier….,stop the cap

— Dlo (@_615dlo) October 13, 2026

@PostMovesShow First they hate you then they say they made you. Girl be for real

— Key 👻🖤🏆 (@Frejoregui) October 13, 2026

@PostMovesShow She sounds so bitter, you can tell she never liked Angel Reese. She needs to keep it that way and continue do support Cameron Brink, Sabrina & the girls better than Angel. Angel doesn’t give AF. The Angel Reese fan club is closed. Thanks!!!

— AJR (@ajrbcg_) October 13, 2026

Reese fans called out Parker for her criticism of Reese in the past. While Parker defended her ranking by claiming that Reese had just one season to show, she did rank Clark in S-tier despite her being from the same draft class as Reese.

Angel Reese is four wins away from a WNBA Championship

Angel Reese is having a dream 2026 campaign. It is her debut season with the Atlanta Dream after the Sky traded her this summer. She missed the playoffs in her first two seasons in Chicago but now paired with Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, and Allisha Gray, Reese has finally been able to assert her dominance and play her game.

Founded in 2008, the Dream have never won a championship. However, they have reached the WNBA Finals three times, and their last appearance was in 2013. With Reese and the Dream on the cusp of history ahead of the Finals, the franchise announced it will play Games 3 and 4 at State Farm Arena after working things out with the venue.

They will be taking on the Golden State Valkyries, who have been very impressive after eliminating A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces in a clean sweep. The Valks have lost just one game in the postseason so far. However, the Dream have won five out of five games so far in the playoffs.

Reese is just four wins away from a historic WNBA title. It now remains to be seen if Reese and Co. can overcome their final hurdle.

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