Angel Reese didn’t just get left off the All-Star Game’s top 10 list.
She got a wake-up call.
For the better part of two years, Reese has been at the center of the WNBA’s marketing push. With national commercials, magazine spreads, and media narratives framing her as the future of women’s basketball, expectations were sky-high. But when the votes came in, fans delivered their verdict—one that sent shockwaves through the league’s branding strategy.
Caitlin Clark led the voting with over half a million votes. Angel Reese didn’t crack the top ten. She landed in 13th place.
The message? Hype doesn’t substitute for performance.
Built by Headlines, Undone by Box Scores
There’s no denying Reese’s cultural footprint. From LSU stardom to endorsement deals and social media presence, she has played the game off the court with savvy and charisma. The media took note—and ran with it.
Outlets like Forbes and ESPN dubbed her “the face of a new era.” They lauded her confidence, her edge, and her ability to generate buzz. She was everywhere: featured in national ad campaigns, mentioned on late-night talk shows, and promoted across WNBA platforms.
But fans were watching something else: the actual games.
What the Numbers Say
Through her first stretch of WNBA games, Reese has averaged just 11 points per game on a league-low 31.6% shooting. For a post player whose primary job is to score efficiently near the basket, that’s a red flag. She ranks near the bottom in field goal percentage among qualified players.
Her other numbers don’t help her case. Despite her dominance on the boards—she leads the league in rebounds—her overall impact has remained limited. She’s blocked just two shots all season, has minimal assists, and is largely a non-factor from mid-range or three-point territory.
In short: she can rebound, but that’s about it.
The Disconnect Between Marketing and Merit
So why the push?
Many analysts now believe that the league and its media partners saw Reese as a crossover star—someone who could bring pop culture into the WNBA and help grow the brand. And to some extent, that worked. She garnered millions of followers online and created viral moments, particularly during her college rivalry with Clark.
But in the professional ranks, fans want more than flash. They want substance. They want players who can do more than trend. And with Clark putting up historic rookie numbers and making highlight plays nightly, the contrast became impossible to ignore.
Reese’s perceived entitlement didn’t help. Interviews where she referred to herself as the reason people watch women’s basketball rubbed some fans the wrong way.
“People are watching because of me too,” she told one outlet. “I’ll look back in 20 years and say I helped build this.”
Bold? Yes. But voters seemed to disagree.
The Fans Speak
All-Star voting is split: 50% fan votes, 25% media, and 25% players. With the fan vote making up half the outcome, it’s a clear barometer of who the public is really backing.
Caitlin Clark received over 516,000 votes—nearly triple Reese’s total of just 173,000.
Even Kiki Iriafen, a rookie averaging a double-double, outpaced Reese in votes. Players like Aaliyah Boston and Lexie Hull, less promoted but more productive, ranked well ahead.
That’s not media spin. That’s the fans choosing results over reputation.
The Myth of Manufactured Stardom
Angel Reese isn’t the first athlete to be promoted aggressively by the league. But her story highlights a deeper issue in women’s sports: what happens when media hype outpaces on-court production?
For months, fans were told she was the face of the league. They were shown highlight reels from college. They were fed headlines calling her “the next big thing.” But when they watched her play? They didn’t see a complete player.
They saw missed layups. Wild shot attempts. One-dimensional contributions.
And they voted accordingly.
The League’s Dilemma
The WNBA had big plans for Angel Reese. They centered her in campaigns. They made her the centerpiece of press conferences. They even elevated her visibility over other more consistent performers.
Now, with her All-Star absence glaring, they face a dilemma: double down, or pivot.
Do they continue investing in a brand that fans aren’t embracing on the court? Or do they shift focus to players like Clark, Boston, and Iriafen—who may lack the same media edge, but are clearly resonating with fans through their game?
This isn’t just a question of marketing.
It’s a question of credibility.
The Social Media Mirage
One of Reese’s biggest assets has been her massive online following. Her Instagram numbers are huge. Her TikToks go viral. But followers don’t always equal fans.
Critics argue that many of her followers aren’t even WNBA viewers. Some are there for lifestyle content. Others are casual fans who don’t tune into games. And many, as analysts have pointed out, may be inactive accounts or bots.
In contrast, Clark’s support is rooted in real engagement. Her jersey sales lead the league. Her games sell out arenas. And her highlights break into mainstream sports coverage—not because of who she is, but because of what she does.
Confidence or Complacency?
Reese’s confidence is part of her appeal. She’s brash. She’s unapologetic. She believes in herself.
But in pro sports, that swagger has to be backed up by substance. And through the first half of the season, it just hasn’t been there.
“She has hustle,” one analyst noted. “But she lacks the skill set to be a two-way player. And that’s what separates the good from the great.”
Can She Turn It Around?
It’s not all doom.
Reese is still young. Her rebounding is elite. And with the right coaching and development, she could become a more complete player. The question is: will she take the feedback seriously?
Will she work on her shooting? Will she refine her footwork? Will she stop leaning on her image and start focusing on impact?
Because the All-Star vote wasn’t just a ranking.
It was a warning.
The All-Star Game: Symbolic of Something Bigger
The All-Star Game is more than a showcase.
It’s a snapshot.
A reflection of who the league is promoting, who the media is pushing, and—more importantly—who the fans are watching.
Reese’s absence from the top 10 is significant because it signals that fans are thinking critically. They’re not just buying into narratives. They’re watching the games. They’re judging performance.
And right now, Reese’s performance isn’t cutting it.
Final Thought: The Vote Is In
Angel Reese wanted to be the face of the WNBA.
The media wanted it too.
But the All-Star vote made something very clear:
You don’t become a star by being talked about.
You become a star by showing up, producing, and connecting with the people who watch this game night after night.
This isn’t just about Angel Reese missing the All-Star Game.
It’s about the moment fans said: enough with the branding.
We’ll decide who matters.
