Reese appreciates Brondello's apology; 'grateful' for WNBA's ban - ESPN

Angel Reese thanked the WNBA and Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello on Saturday after Brondello apologized for making what the league called «an inappropriate comment» in reference to the Atlanta Dream star.

Brondello was suspended one game for her comments during the Dream's 112-92 win over the Tempo on Friday.

«First, I appreciate Sandy's apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I've had for the last 48 hours,» Reese said. «It has been very overwhelming with a lot of love and also other things. But I am grateful that the league did take action.

»There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone — from fans to coaches to players. And I'm just grateful that we are able to move on from the situation and just play winning basketball.

«The WNBA is supposed to be positive and we are going in a great light right now, so I just want to continue that and move forward.»

While addressing the officials after Nyara Sabally went down with an injury following contact with Reese on Friday, Brondello could be heard referring to Reese with the phrase «protected species.» Sabally was called for the foul.

Reese posted to X after the game, «ARE WE SURPRISED?! @SBrondello» with a clown face emoji.

Brondello apologized to Reese on X on Saturday and said Sunday that she'd reached out to Dream general manager Dan Padover after the game in an effort to get in touch with Reese.

«Have a ton of respect for her, but I wanted to make sure that [she knows] it was an emotional statement,» Brondello said. «It's a statement that's very common in Australia, it wasn't directed at Angel. I'd never do that to any kind of player. That's not the kind of coach I am or player back in my day. It was just unfortunate. I was