Tony Yayo brings racism angle while trying to defend Angel Reese’s ‘you can’t see me’ celebration
Tony Yayo points out the hypocrisy and racist undertone in media surrounding Angel Reese.
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Tony Yayo and Angel Reese (Image via L- XXL Mag, R-People)
Everyone who follows basketball and is active on social media knows Angel Reese. Even if some are unaware of the LSU forward’s talents, her name in the news in recent times has made her quite popular. Following LSU’s game against Iowa in the NCAA Women’s finals, many have been harsh and critical of the young player. The backlash comes because of her ‘classless’ celebration against Iowa guard Caitlin Clark.
Many have taken to Twitter to express how they feel and disapprove of Reese’s actions. However, many have also stood up in support of the forward. They have managed to point out how talking trash is a normal part of the game.
Fans and critics in support of Reese have also mentioned how the criticisms of her have a racist and white pacifist undertone. This accusation comes as Caitlin Clark was seen celebrating in the semi-finals in the exact same way. However, no one disapproved of her actions then. One such personality who stood up in favor of Reese is the reputed rapper Tony Yayo.
Yayo was speaking to TMZ Sports when he expressed his views on the matter. “I mean, I think it’s kinda crazy because you know when Angel Reese do it it’s a problem and then when Caitlin Clark did it it wasn’t a problem,” he said, talking about the hypocrisy in media.
The rapper also went on to talk about how talking trash is a perfectly natural aspect of any game. “I feel like it’s competition you know, even when I’m playing 2k and if you’re playing any games or video games we get excited,” he said. “Guys talk trash. Guys even fight over video games or actual sports in the neighborhood so you know talking trash is just competitive nature.”
Yayo spoke about Reese’s contribution to women’s basketball as a young player already. “When you look at Angel Reese, she’s a woman who’s popularizing women’s basketball,” he said. “She’s making women’s basketball bigger than what it is.” The rapper then went on to point out the hypocrisy in media reactions to Reese’s celebrations. “When a black girl does it it’s a problem. But when a white girl does it, it’s not a problem. I mean it’s crazy,” he said.
Is Angel Reese going to feature in the 2023 WNBA Draft?
Surrounding the latest whispers about Reese are speculations about the forward’s WNBA career. Fans and media are now keen to watch Reese go further into the field of women’s basketball. However, it is unlikely that the LSU forward will be seen in this year’s WNBA draft. This is due to the league’s age bar regulations for athletes wishing to put their names into the draft. With Reese yet to turn 21, the forward missed out on the ’22 years old’ cutoff for the draft.
For Angel Reese, however, this isn’t a bitter feeling. The young LSU star has spoken about how she’s not in any rush to join the league yet. She also revealed that she is currently making a good amount of money out of her NIL deals. According to her, the amount she currently makes adds up to more than some players who are already playing in the league.
It is hard to rule out Reese’s entry to the WNBA when she meets the criteria for participation. While that is still almost a year away, when she does, basketball fans around the world will be excited to see how the young player shapes up. Aside from the recent controversy surrounding her, not many can deny the potential of the young forward. Her immense talents surely promise an exciting professional career.
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Nikhil Sonmali
(1112 Articles Published)