In a powerful and emotional statement, WNBA star Brittney Griner has spoken out after a disturbing series of virtual attacks targeting fellow player Angel Reese, urging fans and critics alike to reflect on the consequences of their words. “I’ve been on the receiving end of this,” Griner said. “If you guys keep doing these rude things, you’ll lose your genius and only be left with flatterers on the field.”

Her words come at a boiling point in a growing media and social storm surrounding Reese, who has become the center of controversy following racially-charged online posts, malicious edits, and speculative attacks on her character — most notably from former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III (RG3). The issue gained further attention when basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal jumped to Reese’s defense in an explosive segment on the Off the Record podcast.

“Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I’m punching your face,” Shaq warned, visibly frustrated. “Stop it, bro. You got your job. You got your podcast. Leave my Angel Reese alone.”

O’Neal made it clear that he’s the one counseling Reese to stay silent in the face of public abuse, despite the emotional toll. “That’s the last time,” he said. “Put her full mask on.” His words underscored the protectiveness he feels for Reese, whom he considers both a mentee and a rising force in the sport.

At the heart of this firestorm was RG3’s recent tweet addressing a racist edit of Reese’s 2026 NBA Magazine cover. While he publicly condemned the image, he quickly pivoted into accusations — claiming Reese “hates” Caitlin Clark, another breakout star in women’s basketball. According to RG3, insiders in Reese’s circle told him the animosity stemmed from persistent media comparisons between the two athletes.

The backlash was immediate and fierce. Angel Reese and her mother publicly accused Griffin of fabricating stories. Prominent sports commentator Ryan Clark also slammed RG3, questioning his obsession with Reese and highlighting his lack of understanding of what young Black women athletes endure.

“The one thing we know about RG3,” Clark said, “is he’s not having conversations at his home about what Black women have to endure in this country.”

Clark went on to criticize RG3 for his repeated focus on the skin color of his wife, whom he often refers to in racial terms on social media, insinuating that her whiteness is a point of superiority. “What Black women deal with a lot from Black men who’ve chosen to date or marry outside of their race,” Clark added, “is this strange need to uplift the woman they chose by denigrating Black women.”

Online commentary dug even deeper, exposing a pattern in RG3’s behavior and social messaging. In particular, his infamous “milk” jokes and emphasis on whiteness in past interviews have now resurfaced, fueling public criticism. “RG3 is one of those people who believes Black people need to stop playing the victim,” one commentator said. “But when you look closely, he’s really fighting with what he sees in the mirror.”

Amid the chaos, Brittney Griner’s voice emerges as a sober call for humanity. Having endured public trials, including wrongful detention in Russia and years of scrutiny in her own career, Griner knows firsthand how quickly public opinion can turn cruel. Her message was not only in defense of Angel Reese but a wake-up call to a sports community increasingly divided by race, media bias, and personal agendas.

“If we let this continue,” Griner warned, “we are setting the example that personal gain, shock value, and cruelty matter more than talent, teamwork, and truth.”

As Reese continues to shine on the court, fans and fellow athletes are rallying around her, not just to shield her from further attacks but to demand better from commentators and fans alike.