Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers: a list of young stars who are being credited with the recent surge in WNBA popularity. However, in her recent interview with Cosmo Sport, Reese acknowledged the trailblazing women whose courage paved the way for generations of young girls to earn the respect they deserve. Without the determination past players exhibited, the league itself may have already perished.
When speaking to Cosmo Sport, Reese stated her gratitude towards previous generations of WNBA stars and called attention to the fact that "They walked so we can run, and I'm grateful to have had those legends come before us. I think that's really important to value."
There is no doubt that Angel Reese and the current crop of WNBA players are doing a phenomenal job of elevating women's basketball -- not only as a product but also off the court. Nonetheless, sometimes it is easy to forget that decades of athletes fought through tougher circumstances just so future generations had an equal opportunity to showcase their extraordinary talents.
WNBA only exists because of its legends' bravery -- and that should never be forgotten
The work that present-day athletes put into their careers, on and off the court, is jaw-dropping. Signature shoes, thriving businesses, and podcasts -- these are just a few ventures that Angel Reese has already excelled in during her third year in the league. But frankly, none of this would ever have been possible without the women who bravely fought their way through a landscape that actively sought to make women fail.
If it wasn't for the 1996 United States Olympic Women's Basketball team clinching a sensational Gold Medal on home soil, who knows what the current state of the WNBA would look like -- or even if it would even exist.
All of this sounds quite ridiculous, doesn't it? A society that refused to accept that female athletes were capable of becoming stars in a sport that requires a bag of air passing through a metal ring. Well, that was reality for a lot of women who just wanted to play ball.
Finally, in 1997, the WNBA was formed, and many superstars have not only participated in the sport; they have made history in it. They have inspired generations. They have helped cultivate a community in which you can feel comfortable in your own skin regardless of your beliefs and values. Athletes who once weren't allowed to participate in a variety of sports are now idols to kids who just want to feel like they belong.
Historic moments in the WNBA have shown young athletes that there is a realistic pathway for them to achieve their once impossible dreams. Teresa Weatherspoon draining a half-court shot with 2.4 seconds on the clock during the 1999 WNBA Finals. Lisa Leslie performing a historic dunk in 2002. Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson leading the Houston Comets to four championships. And, of course, A'ja Wilson continuously smashing records in the modern-day era.
Yes, the world may be right in thinking that Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers are helping to bring new eyeballs to the sport, but without the stars of the past, none of this would be possible. Next time you are involved in an argument about who the face of the league is, remember that there wouldn't be a league to treasure if it wasn't for the brave women who fought for the right to play basketball.
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