Angel Reese Thanks Alyssa Thomas for Flagrant Foul: ‘I Got Back Up and Kept Pushing’ [Video]

Angel Reese wasn’t kidding when she said she wanted to face challenges and grow at the next level. The Chicago Sky rookie has shown resilience after being knocked down and getting back up each time.

During the Sky’s 86-82 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night, Reese took a hard hit from veteran Alyssa Thomas. While fighting for a rebound in the third quarter, Thomas clotheslined Reese, sending her to the floor. Thomas received the first flagrant foul 2 of her career and was ejected from the game.

Despite the tough play, Reese made it clear that she doesn’t feel she’s being targeted because she’s a rookie. “It’s not just because I’m a rookie. I’m a player. I’m a basketball player,” Reese said via The Athletic. “They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. I mean, I want them to come at me every day. I want them to come at everybody.”

Alyssa Thomas was ejected after a hard foul on Angel Reese. pic.twitter.com/CxJNDkfePd

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 26, 2024

Reese emphasized that she expects no special treatment. “They’re not supposed to be nice to me. I hope y’all know that. They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie. Like, thank you AT for sending a message to me because I got back up and I kept going and kept pushing.”

Interestingly, Reese and Thomas share a history, both having played at Maryland, and Reese expressed no hard feelings towards Thomas. “Me and AT have been cool since we were at Maryland so I know it’s no hard feelings. I appreciate her for going at me today or every day.”

Before the game, Reese had spoken about her admiration for Thomas, who also attended Maryland. She later reiterated that she didn’t believe Thomas fouled her on purpose and that her respect for the WNBA star remained unchanged. “No hard feelings to AT,” Reese said via The Athletic. “I know she probably didn’t do it towards me, but just being able to come out there and just be strong and stand on two feet, it was going to be a tough game and that’s what I’m built for.”

Angel Reese on that hard foul by Alyssa Thomas which led to an ejection: “They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. … They’re not supposed to be nice to me. … Thank you AT for sending a message to me because I got back up and I kept going.” pic.twitter.com/tZUsMjSm8g

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) May 26, 2024