WNBA star Angel Reese is making headlines once again—this time for hinting that she may leave the United States altogether. The rising basketball icon expressed her frustration on social media, saying she feels unappreciated and unfairly treated in her home country.

Reese, known as much for her dominant play as for her unapologetic personality, posted an emotional message online that quickly went viral:
“I’m leaving America—this country doesn’t deserve me!”

That one sentence sparked a firestorm of reactions, with fans, media, and fellow athletes weighing in. While she didn’t explain what prompted the post, many believe it’s tied to the intense scrutiny she’s faced as both a competitor and a public figure. From being called out for her confident demeanor to constant comparisons with other athletes, Reese has often been the target of polarizing commentary.

In follow-up messages, she suggested that no matter her achievements, she still feels disrespected.
“No matter how hard I work, no matter how much I prove myself, there’s always something. Always a reason to tear me down,” she reportedly wrote.

Reese first captured national attention after leading LSU to a national championship, and she’s continued her rise in the WNBA. Outspoken and fiercely competitive, she’s been both celebrated and criticized for her bold personality and trash talk—a style that many say would be praised if she were a male athlete.

One flashpoint came during the 2023 NCAA championship, when she taunted Iowa star Caitlin Clark with the now-infamous “you can’t see me” gesture. While some viewed it as standard competitive fire, others labeled her “classless” and “unsportsmanlike.” That moment fueled broader conversations about race, gender, and the double standards Black female athletes often face.

Her recent comments about potentially leaving the U.S. have only added fuel to the fire. Supporters say she’s shining a light on systemic issues in American sports, particularly when it comes to how Black women are treated.

“Angel Reese has been disrespected for years. If she wants to leave, I don’t blame her,” one fan tweeted.
Another wrote: “First Serena Williams. Then Sha’Carri Richardson. Now Angel Reese. America has a real problem with confident Black women.”

Critics, however, are less sympathetic. Some accuse Reese of being overly dramatic or ungrateful, pointing out the privileges that come with being a professional athlete.
“If Angel Reese wants to leave, let her. No one’s holding her back,” one commenter wrote.
“Tons of athletes face criticism. It’s part of the game,” said another.

So far, Reese hasn’t revealed where she’d go if she leaves. Like many WNBA players, she could opt to play overseas, where salaries can be significantly higher. Leagues in countries like Spain, France, and China regularly attract top U.S. talent during the WNBA offseason.

Others speculate she might just be taking a break or calling out the pressures of being a public figure, rather than making a permanent move. Regardless, if she does head overseas, she wouldn’t be the first American athlete to find more appreciation abroad.

This moment also taps into larger issues facing women’s sports in the U.S.—from low WNBA pay to the ongoing mental health struggles athletes face under the media spotlight. Athletes like Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles have stepped away from competition to protect their mental health, while others like Brittney Griner and Maya Moore have faced challenges that go beyond the court.

For now, Reese hasn’t announced any concrete plans, and it’s unclear if her words were a spur-of-the-moment expression or something more serious. But one thing is certain—her message struck a nerve.

Whether she ultimately leaves or stays, Angel Reese is forcing America to take a hard look at how it treats its athletes—especially those who speak their minds and challenge the status quo.