Rapper Joe Budden issues a warning to Angel Reese amidst off-court controversy and her rivalry with Caitlin Clark.
This week, hip-hop artist Joe Budden issued a stern warning to WNBA star Angel Reese.
The 22-year-old garnered significant attention during her rookie season for her outstanding on-court performances, even briefly holding the WNBA single-season record.
However, Reese also made headlines off the court, particularly after a wrist injury ended her debut season early.
Her offseason podcast, ‘Unapologetically Angel,’ has stirred up controversy with its weekly episodes. In one, Reese addressed the fans of her rival Caitlin Clark, revealing she had received death threats and that explicit AI-generated images of her were sent to her family.
She faced backlash from yet another fanbase when she invited Kayla Nicole, the ex-girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, onto her show, angering Taylor Swift’s fans.
Amid the controversy, rapper and media mogul Joe Budden has urged the rising star to step back from the off-court spotlight.
“I’ve seen Angel Reese acting out, though I’m not sure if she’s been on ‘Wild ‘N Out,'” said Joe Budden. “Angel Reese just won’t sit down for a second… She needs to take a break, there’s value in that.
“This might sound like I’m telling women what to do, but that’s not my intent.”
Referring to Reese’s recent appearance during Nick Cannon’s ‘Wild ‘N Out’ tour in Chicago, Budden urged the basketball star to step back from seeking attention outside of her athletic career.
Nicole, who was in an on-and-off relationship with Travis Kelce for five years before his involvement with Taylor Swift, shared details about their past on Angel Reese’s podcast this month.
Among her revelations, the 32-year-old influencer admitted that she can’t speak to Travis in public due to his relationship with Taylor. She also opened up about the harsh online abuse she’s received from ‘Swifties.’
Since the interview, both Nicole and Reese have been targeted by Swift’s fans—Nicole being told to “move on” from Kelce and Reese criticized for raising the topic for attention.
Joe Budden compared Reese’s off-court behavior to that of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.
Although Joe Budden insisted his criticism wasn’t racially motivated—an issue that has impacted Reese and Clark’s on-court rivalry—he couldn’t help but point out that Clark’s life outside basketball is much more low-key.
“Whoever [Reese] has is telling her to show up everywhere. That’s not what Caitlin Clark’s people are advising, not to make it about race… We’re just talking about some star rookie stuff now,” Budden remarked.
Clark edged out Reese to win WNBA Rookie of the Year, with Reese preventing a clean sweep by earning one vote.
Unlike Reese, the former Iowa Hawkeye doesn’t host a podcast, but she has made headlines with major deals with brands like Nike and Wilson. Clark is also frequently seen at sporting events with her boyfriend Connor McCaffery or impressing in designer outfits worth thousands.
