CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the first half against the Chicago Sky on April 29, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 29 Preseason Atlanta Dreamagainst the Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260429012
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 29: Angel Reese 5 of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the first half against the Chicago Sky on April 29, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 29 Preseason Atlanta Dreamagainst the Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260429012
Jason Whitlock has never been shy about criticizing Angel Reese, but his Thursday discussion about the WNBA star took an unusual turn. On his Fearless show, co-host Ak Nation floated a theory that Reese’s modeling career could be affecting the way she takes up her basketball training.
Nation argued that Reese may be hesitant to build more upper-body strength because she wants to maintain a more feminine physique for her modeling work.
“When you want to be a supermodel, having huge shoulders doesn't really jive with that career path,” Nation said on Fearless. “I feel like Angel doesn't want to develop that part of her body because she wants to look good in a bathing suit.”
2026 World Cup Qualifying Tournament - USA V Spain Angel Reese 9 of the United States plays during the game at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament between the United States and Spain in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 17, 2026, at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot. San Juan Puerto Rico PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xEdgardoxMedinax originalFilename:medinamillan-notitle260317_npdtu.jpg
2026 World Cup Qualifying Tournament - USA V Spain Angel Reese 9 of the United States plays during the game at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament between the United States and Spain in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 17, 2026, at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot. San Juan Puerto Rico PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xEdgardoxMedinax originalFilename:medinamillan-notitle260317_npdtu.jpg
The eyebrow-raising theory came just as Reese was answering her critics on the court with a strong bounce-back performance against A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces.
Nation then compared Reese’s physique with A’ja Wilson, Brittney Griner and Tina Charles, arguing that the other WNBA bigs have more developed shoulders.
“I think that her side career as a model is making her hesitant to build her upper body,” AK Nation added, as per the clip posted by Jason Whitlock's X handle.
It was certainly a bold theory, but the conversation did not offer evidence that Reese is actually avoiding strength development because of her modeling career.
Instead, it connected two separate parts of her career based largely on speculation.
Jason Whitlock Gives Angel Reese Her Flowers
While Whitlock has been critical of Reese's game, he also acknowledged her ability to respond when things don't go her way.
Just a couple of days after the disappointing performance against the Fever, Reese went up against Wilson and the Aces.
Rather than allowing the criticism to linger, she responded with 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Dream secured a 97-82 victory, according to Shane Garry Acedera of Basketball Network.
“I’m not surprised that we are sitting here 48 hours later and Angel Reese went against the MVP, A’ja Wilson, had a very solid game and led her team to a victory,” Whitlock said during the Fearless Show. "That is who Angel Reese is,” he added. “We can laugh at her, but she is a competitor. She will find a way.”
That competitive edge has become one of the defining parts of Reese’s young WNBA career. Whether her modeling career has anything to do with her approach to strength training remains speculation.
What Reese has shown on the court, however, is that she can answer plenty of questions with her play.
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Written by
Rudra Dubey