Heavy Is The Crown Of An Angel
In this Conkrete Playground spotlight, we break down the rise of Angel Reese, from Baltimore’s courts to the national stage. A fierce competitor, cultural icon, and BET Sportswoman of the Year, Angel’s impact goes far beyond the box score. Love her or hate her, she’s unapologetically dominant, and she’s just getting started.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENTGIRLS#BASKETBALLMINDSETWOMEN'S BASKETBALLWNBABASKETBALL CULTURENCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALLANGEL REESE
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6/11/20255 min read
Before the world knew Angel Reese, we knew of her in whispers, Baltimore’s own, tall with game and attitude to match. I remember first hearing about her from her uncle. He said, “She’s tall, man… like real tall.” This was around the time I was just tapping into girls’ hoops heavy. He introduced me to her mom, and we tried to make a connection, but the ride was to long, and Angel was already locked in on her mission: representing home. She stayed in Baltimore. She stayed true.
From an early age, Angel was known, on the AAU circuit, in high school gyms, and later at LSU, she built a rep off pure energy and playing hard. You either loved her or hated that you had to compete against her. Opponents couldn’t stand her because she competed with that “I dare you” edge. The stare-downs, the trash talk, the hustle, all Baltimore. And guess what? She backed every bit of it up. Rings. Trophies. Banners. She’s won at every level because she refuses to play small.
Let’s talk her game: Angel’s a Swiss Army Knife wrapped in braids, inches and toughness. In my opinion, she’s not even being fully tapped into yet. She could be a point forward in the right system, someone who rebounds, leads the break, and sets up the offense. Her court vision and passing? Slept on. But in college and pro sports, perception is gospel. If you didn’t do it in college, they assume you can’t do it at the next level. That’s the trap.
Right now, coaches want her close to the rim, and she’s dominant there on the boards. But imagine if she added a consistent face-up jumper from the dunker spot and baseline areas. Defenders would be in hell. That little tweak could unlock a whole new level of production. She’s already eating on the boards, add a go-to move and she’s a 20-and-10 machine in the league.
But it’s not just the stats. Angel is the heartbeat of every team she’s on. She's the energy plug, the one who makes teammates believe. She talks, she leads, she competes. She’s the kind of battery that never dies in big moments. She raise her teammates confidence.
Now let’s keep it real: nobody’s perfect. We all have our moments. But what Angel did, what she built—goes beyond the court. Remember the game where her shoe flew off, and she still managed to block a shot? That clip went viral, and boom, the culture crowned her. Black women, young girls, celebs, fans, they all showed up for her.
Then came “That Game.” The showdown with Caitlin Clark. Iowa vs. LSU. White America’s darling vs. Black America’s most beloved. Angel waved her hand, pointed to her ring finger, and the internet melted. Suddenly, she wasn’t just a baller, she was a narrative. A villain in one story, a hero in another.
She unlocked a fan base for Caitlin she didn’t even know existed, and in doing so, inherited all their smoke. But here’s the thing: Angel didn’t flinch. She wore the Big Bad Wolf cape like couture.
Despite the noise, Angel’s support system is massive. She’s got the basketball purists, the culture, the aunties, the hoopers, the kids, and the players who actually understand the game. Forget the casuals. She’s got the real ones.
And now? She’s the BET Sportswoman of the Year. Let’s be honest, this award ain’t just about numbers. It’s about impact. Presence. Culture. Conversation. And whether you like it or not, nobody’s moved the needle like Angel Reese.
So to the doubters, the haters, the stat-line skeptics, sit down. The Crown fits.
At ConKrete Playground, we build moments that live forever. From the court to the crowd, we tell raw stories, celebrate the grind, and connect culture through the heartbeat of those who grew the game.
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