“It’s not ghetto? She not a thug?” – Nebraska’s Jaz Shelley taunting Caitlin Clark triggers fans questioning double standards towards Angel Reese

Jaz Shelley recently celebrated using a John Cena celebration, in front of Caitlin Clark.

“It’s not ghetto? She not a thug?” – Nebraska’s Jaz Shelley taunting Caitlin Clark triggers fans questioning double standards towards Angel Reese

Jaz Shelly hit Caitlin Clark with her own 'You can't see me' celebration (FOX)

In a thrilling women’s college basketball moment, Nebraska Cornhuskers’ Jaz Shelley hits a game-winning 3-pointer against the Iowa Hawkeyes. She capped it off with John Cena’s “you can’t see me” taunt. This move mirrors Angel Reese’s previous highly scrutinized gesture in the NCAA, sparking debate on racial bias and double standards in sports.

As Nebraska secures a stunning 82-79 victory over Iowa, the focus is not only on Shelley’s pivotal shot or Clark’s impressive 31 points. Instead, it’s the aftermath that’s stirring the pot. Some see Shelley’s taunt as a moment of triumph, but it draws comparisons to Angel Reese’s similar action last year, which received harsh criticism and labels like “ghetto” and “thuggish.”

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This contrasting reception has ignited a fiery discourse on social media, with many pointing out the stark inconsistencies in reactions based on the race of the athletes involved. Jaz Shelly has now interestingly come forward with a claim that her action wasn’t a taunt at all. Rather, she claims it was merely a call for her team’s face-guard defense.

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Another point many have observed is the context in which Shelley’s gesture was made compared to Reese’s. Shelley’s taunt, which has generally been met with positive reactions, was executed without invading Caitlin Clark‘s personal space. In contrast, Angel Reese‘s actions included running around Clark while taunting, an approach some labeled as distasteful.

Fans speculate racial bias influences differing responses to Reese and Shelley’s celebrations

Fans celebrated Shelley’s performance and her subsequent taunt, but Reese encountered scrutiny and backlash, revealing the deep-seated biases that influence how people perceive athletes’ actions. This incident has sparked a wave of reactions from fans, who call for a unified standard in the reception and interpretation of such gestures.

Angel Reese was criticized heavily for taunting Clark the same way Shelly just did (Women Hooping)
Angel Reese was criticized heavily for taunting Clark the same way Shelly just did (Women Hooping)

Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration and demand equality in treatment. Some reactions can be seen below:

The uproar following Jaz Shelley’s taunt versus the reaction to Angel Reese’s similar gesture last year opens up a necessary dialogue on racial bias and double standards in sports. It’s a reminder that the journey towards true equality and fairness is ongoing, and each incident like this is an opportunity for reflection and growth.

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