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Shaquille O'Neal defends Angel Reese from criticism during interview

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 2, 2026, 1:16 PM

Last updated Jun 2, 2026

Shaquille O'Neal defends Angel Reese from criticism during interview

Summary

Shaquille O'Neal expressed his frustration with critics of Angel Reese during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. He described Reese, a player for the Atlanta Dream, as facing undue negativity from some media figures and fans, particularly due to her rivalry with Caitlin Clark. O'Neal condemned the behavior of critics, labeling it as bullying and embarrassing, and expressed his desire to protect Reese from such attacks. His remarks came amid ongoing discussions about media treatment of female athletes and the pressure they face in the spotlight.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Shaquille O'Neal criticizes media treatment of Angel Reese.
•O'Neal calls criticism of Reese 'bullying' and 'embarrassing.'
•Reese is a polarizing figure due to her rivalry with Caitlin Clark.
•O'Neal defends Reese and fellow rookie Lauren Betts from negative comments.
•O'Neal wishes to protect Reese from public criticism while remaining professional.

Latest Updates

1:16 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Enough is enough’: Shaq does not hold back his opinion on Angel Reese

What they're saying

"
Over the years, Atlanta Dream superstar Angel Reese has become one of the most polarizing players in sports, thanks in large part to her high-profile rivalry with the face of the league, Caitlin Clark. Given her role as a sort of villain to Clark, Reese has received a disproportionate amount of criticism and negative attention…
— Yahoo Sports

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