Angel Reese responds to Claressa Shields after third BET Sportswoman of the Year Win [VIDEO]

Angel Reese Reacts to Claressa Shields After Winning BET Sportswoman of the Year For The Third Straight Time

On June 9, Angel Reese won her third consecutive BET Sportswoman of the Year award, a milestone that sparked both celebration and controversy. The 23-year-old Chicago Sky forward edged out a stacked field of nominees, including boxing great Claressa Shields, gymnast Simone Biles, tennis phenom Coco Gauff, track star Sha’Carri Richardson, and WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson. Reese’s win came on the heels of her dominant 2024 WNBA season, where she led the league in rebounds and solidified her status as a cultural icon.

But not everyone agreed with the outcome.

Claressa Shields Questions the Decision, Then Clarifies

Shortly after the award was announced, Claressa Shields took to X to share her reaction. The undefeated boxing champion, 16-0, posted:

“Still don’t know how I didn’t win the Sportswoman of the Year for the @BETAwards but Congrats to Angel Reese and all the other Nominees 🤟 I just thought accolades mattered.”

The tweet amassed over 4.5 million views and ignited a heated debate across social media. Fans questioned whether the award should reflect recent accomplishments or lifetime achievements.

Shields later followed up:

“Ain’t nobody saying Angel Reese don’t have accolades or she not good…. I’m saying I thought the person with ‘THE MOST’ accolades & accomplishments would win the Award. I’m team Angel Reese!”

Her clarification helped cool tensions, though some critics still labeled her a sore loser, while others praised her for speaking up.

Angel Reese Addresses the Backlash with Grace and Accountability

Following a tough 85-66 loss to the New York Liberty on June 10, Angel Reese was asked about her BET award and the surrounding commentary. She responded with humility:

“Third time’s crazy. It means a lot to the culture, to my people.”

Despite recent on-court struggles, she emphasized her work ethic:

“I come into work every day and work. I don’t complain. I don’t care about anything else. I have bad days. I haven’t been playing well at all, and I can sit here and just mope around and point the finger, but it’s been me. And I take accountability.”

Her words resonated with fans who saw in Reese a young leader striving for growth, even amid criticism.

Comparing the Resumes: Reese vs. Shields

The debate largely comes down to what the BET Sportswoman of the Year award is intended to recognize. Shields, who fought once in 2024—a dominant TKO win over Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on July 27—has a storied career with titles in five weight classes.

Reese, on the other hand, had a breakout WNBA rookie campaign in 2024, averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. She broke Sylvia Fowles’ single-season rebound record and became an All-Star. While her 2025 season has started slower (10.1 PPG, 12.1 RPG over 8 games), her off-court presence has only grown.

From magazine covers (including Vogue) to her cultural rivalry with Caitlin Clark, Reese’s influence extends beyond the hardwood. BET’s decision likely hinged on that total package: athletic achievement and cultural relevance.

Fan Reactions Split Down the Middle

X was divided. Some fans backed Shields:

“How does an all-time boxing great with multiple belts lose to a sophomore WNBA player?” wrote @BoxingTruth88.

Others defended Reese:

“Shields a beast, but Reese is the moment right now,” @WNBAHeatCheck posted.

“Year by year, not career, Claressa. Angel earned that,” added @BballCulture.

A Cultural Figure in Real Time

BET’s decision can also be read as a nod to Reese’s status as a voice for Gen Z athletes. Her unapologetic style, embrace of Black culture, and advocacy for mental health have won her admiration far beyond basketball. Reese said it best:

“People would die and kill to have this job. Being able to play with the best players in the world means a lot to me. I put my all in this.”

In many ways, Reese represents the changing landscape of sports recognition—one that values both stats and symbolism.

The Bigger Picture

The Shields-Reese exchange highlights the evolving definition of excellence in women’s sports. Is it based on long-term dominance or short-term impact? Technical brilliance or social resonance?

For now, Angel Reese remains at the forefront of that conversation. Her third straight Sportswoman of the Year award may be polarizing, but it’s undeniably reflective of her current cultural weight—and her commitment to owning every step of her journey.

In some ways, the situation is comparable to the female rapper debate. A decade ago, Nicki Minaj was winning the BET Award for female rappers so frequently that she apologized in her acceptance speech during her final win. The following year, she had competition for the award. After that, other female rappers gained prominence and ended Nicki’s reign.

Angel Reese’s situation may prove to be similar, as she’s won the Sportswoman of the Year award consistently since 2023.

BET’s Award Focus and Cultural Relevance

The BET Awards have long celebrated not only athletic excellence but cultural influence. Reese’s rise has come with an unprecedented spotlight on women’s basketball, and her visibility has arguably done more to elevate the sport than any single athlete in 2024.

From her ongoing rivalry with Caitlin Clark to her off-court advocacy and fashion-forward appearances, Reese has helped broaden the conversation around women in sports. Shields remains one of boxing’s greatest athletes, but in terms of yearlong impact, BET voters clearly favored Reese.

Conclusion

Angel Reese’s third consecutive BET Sportswoman of the Year award sparked controversy but also underscored the complexities of evaluating athletic greatness. Claressa Shields’ surprise highlighted a divide between lifetime accolades and annual impact. Reese’s humble response, despite facing criticism and a rocky start to her 2025 season, reaffirmed her leadership and commitment.

The public debate shows that sports honors are about more than statistics—they reflect cultural relevance, fan connection, and year-over-year consistency. As Reese continues her WNBA journey, and Shields defends her boxing legacy, both women stand tall as champions of their respective crafts—and symbols of excellence in Black women’s sports.