katero
Jun 24, 2026

Angel Reese talks Black anthem after getting booed by Fever fans

WNBA star Angel Reese has opened up about a candid moment for her this week that she says resulted from fan abuse in Indianapolis.

Now in her first year with the Atlanta Dream, the 24-year-old Reese was seen singing and swaying along with the Black national anthem, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' before Thursday's game against Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever.

Following Friday's federal Juneteenth holiday, Reese & Co. were back in action against the Fever in Atlanta, where she was asked about that moment, the song and its relevance to her as an African-American woman.

'It was just one in the moment of where I was, and how it felt, and how it hit, and the things that I've had to experience the last couple years, and they haven't always been great,' Reese said Saturday. 

'It's not supposed to be easy, but I am very, very grateful for this opportunity to be a Black woman, it's a privilege... being where I was, hearing the loud boos when I was in the arena, and then when I heard "Lift Every Voice," it just made me feel like, this is for the ones that walked for me.'

Reese also discussed the importance of the song, which is derived from the 1900 James Weldon Johnson poem and uses an arrangement composed by his brother, John Rosamond Johnson.

'Those young girls, those young boys out there, when they see a Black girl being able to run up and down the court and just have this life and have this experience, I think it's really important. Representation is important, for me to use my voice, for me to use my platform, I'll never stay silent for things I believe in,' Reese said.

Angel Reese singing along with The Black National Anthem #HappyJuneteenth Let Us March On...pic.twitter.com/Va7km5uj1b

— Radio Media Sports News (@UrbnRadioNation) June 19, 2026
Now in her first year with the Atlanta Dream, Reese was seen singing and swaying along with the Black national anthem, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' before Thursday's game

Now in her first year with the Atlanta Dream, Reese was seen singing and swaying along with the Black national anthem, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' before Thursday's game

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