Stephen A. Smith PUTS Angel Reese IN HER PLACE After DROPPED From Chicago Sky!

In a shocking turn of events, rising WNBA star Angel Reese has reportedly been dropped from the Chicago Sky’s active rotation, sparking outrage among fans — and some tough love from none other than ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

Reese, who had been one of the most talked-about rookies entering the season, found herself on the bench during the Sky’s last two games. Rumors swirled that internal team issues, inconsistency on the court, and behind-the-scenes clashes may have contributed to her being sidelined. But it was Stephen A. Smith’s fiery comments on live television that sent shockwaves through the sports world.

“Let me say this with all due respect,” Smith began on First Take. “Angel Reese is talented. She’s marketable. She has charisma. But this ain’t college anymore. This is the WNBA. And you have to show up every single night — mentally, physically, and professionally.”

Smith didn’t hold back, criticizing what he called “emotional immaturity” and a lack of focus from the 6’3″ forward, who had gained a reputation for speaking out on and off the court.

“You can’t just be the face of the league off Instagram and Twitter,” he continued. “You gotta back it up with performance. If the coach benched her, there’s a reason.”

Social media exploded. Some fans accused Smith of being too harsh, while others applauded him for saying what many insiders had been whispering for weeks.

“She needed to hear that,” one fan tweeted. “Stephen A. just said what the coaches can’t.”

According to sources within the Sky organization, the decision to reduce Reese’s playing time was not personal but performance-based. While she showed flashes of brilliance early in the season, her numbers began to dip, and her defense became a concern in critical matchups.

“She’s got potential,” one team executive said. “But potential doesn’t win games. Production does.”

Angel Reese has not publicly commented on the situation, though she did post a cryptic message on social media hours after the news broke: “Sometimes silence is louder than anything else.” The post sparked even more speculation about her future with the franchise.

Her fans, still loyal from her college days at LSU, jumped to her defense, blaming coaching decisions and lack of chemistry within the Sky’s lineup.

“She’s not the problem — the system is,” one user posted.

But Stephen A. wasn’t done.

“I’m not saying she’s done. I’m not saying she’s a bust,” he clarified. “But she needs to take this moment, humble herself, get in the gym, and come back better. This is a wake-up call.”

Reese’s former college coach, Kim Mulkey, even weighed in, saying, “Angel is a fighter. She’ll rise again. She just needs to adjust to the pros.”

Meanwhile, the Sky continues to struggle with consistency, and without Reese’s energy on the court, fans are starting to feel the gap.

Whether this is just a bump in the road or a turning point in Angel Reese’s young career remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — the spotlight is still firmly on her.

As Stephen A. closed his segment, he offered one final piece of advice:

“Use this moment. Don’t pout. Prove everybody wrong. That’s how stars are made.”