Angel Reese made some history Saturday night, becoming the first player ejected from an Unrivaled game.
Reese, playing for her Rose Basketball Club in the new 3×3 women’s basketball league, was ejected after receiving back-to-back technical fouls in the second quarter of her team’s game against the Laces. A referee called Reese for a foul while she was guarding Tiffany Hayes, who fell to the floor while dribbling toward the basket.
After the call, Reese repeatedly waved her hand in the direction of both the official on the baseline who made the call and Hayes. The official — appearing to think the motion was directed at him — called the first technical foul. Reese was then handed the second tech after arguing with the officials.
The WNBA star took to social media after the game, which the Rose won 83-69, writing a series of posts on X about the incident. “Free me,” she wrote in one post, commenting on a video of her after the ejection. In another: “Happy (Black History Month). Y’all know I had to be the first.”
Happy BHM. yall know i had to be the first✊🏽
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) February 2, 2025
Reese had 15 rebounds, six points and three assists in seven minutes before the ejection. Chelsea Gray, who had 28 points, eight assists and three rebounds, was named the Player of the Game.
Unrivaled’s season takes place during the WNBA offseason as an option for players to expand their games. The league features 36 players (six players per team) and includes many of the top WNBA, such as league co-founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, as well as Reese, who recently wrapped her rookie season with the Chicago Sky.
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(Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)