Rapper Joe Budden speaks out against Angel Reese amid off-court controversy and Caitlin Clark comparisons

Angel Reese committed a flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark in the Indiana Fever’s victory against the Chicago Sky. Nick Wright reflects on the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and why it’s good for the sport.

Hip-hop artist and media mogul Joe Budden sent a stern message to WNBA rookie Angel Reese about her image. 

After a rookie season where Reese at one point even held the WNBA single-season rebound record but failed to hold it after season-ending surgery, Reese has leaned into brand-building off the court. 

The 22-year-old women's basketball star launched her own podcast "Unapolagetically Angel" before she was even done with her rookie season, and has kept releasing episodes every week even after her WNBA season ended early due to a wrist injury in early September. 

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Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark look on during the second half against the Chicago Sky on June 23, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.  (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The podcast has stirred controversy multiple times, including the very first episode when she spoke out against fans of rival player Caitlin Clark, alleging they had sent her death threats and made explicit AI images of her and sent them to her family. In her most recent episode, Reese interviewed the ex-girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce about their past relationship. This interview brought about a flurry of criticism, particularly from fans of Kelce's new girlfriend, Taylor Swift. 

Now Budden has advised Reese to pull back on some of the non-basketball publicity she has been chasing in recent months, during an episode of his podcast, "The Joe Budden Podcast," via Sports Illustrated.