Many of us watched with delight and excitement as Caitlin Clark and Angel Resse battled on the hardwood for a national women’s basketball championship, eventually won by Reese’s Louisiana State Tigers. They’ve both moved onto professional basketball with Clark going to Indiana and Reese playing for the Chicago Sky.
Last Sunday, Angel Reese made her home debut when the Sky played against Alyssa Thomas and her league leading Connecticut Sun team. Midway through the third period, Thomas, who has been in the league for ten years shared one of those veteran messages to the rookie, Reese. She physically knocked her on her butt, earning a flagrant foul that got her kicked out of the game.
After the game was over, Angel Reese stood tall and thanked “AT” for sending the message that just because she was a standout college player, that didn’t mean too much on the professional court. Reese even asked her and other players to come at her like that every game because she loves the game and wants to be challenged by these great athletes to be her best.
Resilience in sports, as it is in life is often forged in the crucible of adversity, and Angel Reese’s response to her encounter with Alyssa Thomas epitomizes this spirit. Reese’s gratitude for the challenge she faced, rather than resentment or frustration, highlights a crucial aspect of resilience: the ability to transform setbacks into opportunities for growth. This mindset is not just vital for individual athletes but is also shaping the future of women’s basketball and its broader impact on the sports world.
The influence of players like Reese and Clark extends beyond professional sports. Young athletes, especially girls, but also boys, look up to these players and learn valuable lessons about resilience, teamwork, and perseverance. When youngsters see athletes who face challenges head-on, don’t whine and take them on, they are more likely to develop a resilient mindset themselves.
© Richard Citrin, 2024
