​The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is set for July 25 in Chicago, Illinois, and one of the season’s standout teams, the Atlanta Dream, will not have any of its players starting in the event. Star forward Angel Reese, who the Dream acquired in a offseason trade, did not hold back her thoughts on what she viewed as a snub. “I expect to be disrespected,” Reese told ESPN. “For those two though, I think they work so hard and they put a lot of effort in, and the way that they’re guarded every game and they have to adjust. The reason why we’re where we are is because of those two. For us not to have anyone was just a slap in the face, but they’re not going to say anything. I am.”
Reese also predicted that the Dream would still land All-Star representatives as reserves. “I’m sure we’re still going to be All-Stars. I have no doubt in my mind that we still will be,” she said, “but I think it is important to note that none of us were starters on a team that has had so much success this year.” Her forecast proved correct when Reese, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard were announced as All-Star reserves. After earning a third straight All-Star nod, Reese took to social media to address the “nonbelievers, underachievers, and ‘tweet and deleters’.”
Some fans urged Reese to show more humility about the All-Star selection. A comment on X (formerly Twitter) read, “2nd hand embarrassment dawg.” Another criticized her confidence, claiming, “She’s so full of herself and wonders why people don’t like her, shooting 41% in the paint is embarrassing.” A third message mocked her podcast branding, suggesting, “Need to change the name of her podcast from unapologetic to insufferable.” The feedback illustrates the polarized reactions to Reese’s public self-assurance, which has become a talking point as fans debate whether she should tone down her self-promotion.
Regardless of the debate surrounding her confidence, Reese’s impact on the court remains undeniable. On the court, she continues to contribute at a high level as the Dream pursue their goals. The season also features a notable venue for the All-Star Weekend: the games will be hosted at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center, a landmark that Reese has cited as meaningful, given her admiration for former First Lady Michelle Obama, who stands among her biggest role models. Reese has often spoken about finding inspiration in Obama, and the All-Star festivities provide another chance to showcase the league’s talent at a site tied to such a prominent national figure.
As the season unfolds, Reese’s combination of on-court production and public bravado remains a talking point for fans and media alike. The broader question for many remains whether her confidence translates into continued success for the Dream and how opposing defenses will adjust to her and her teammates. For now, Reese appears unfazed by the chatter, focusing instead on adding to the Dream’s growing list of wins and helping the league’s star power shine during All-Star Weekend at the Obama Presidential Center.