WNBA superstar Candace Parker is keen to ensure there are no negative feelings between her and Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky. Reese, who surpassed Parker’s record for the most consecutive double-doubles last season, previously referred to the three-time WNBA champion as the G.O.A.T. and expressed immense respect for Parker’s playing style.
Parker may have unintentionally put some strain on her relationship with Reese after labeling the Sky standout in the “C” tier during a video segment with Complex Sports. The ranking of Reese has since gained considerable attention, with some critics questioning whether Parker was disregarding one of the league’s emerging talents.
Candace Parker explains her Angel Reese ratings
Parker clarified her stance during a guest appearance on the Good Follow podcast: “They asked me my opinion on player tiers, and my thing is, if you bring something to argument, bring something else,”
“Can she get to player ‘A’ or player ‘S’ or whatever? Yes, she can. Right now, I don’t know if she’s alongside those players. And you’re measuring her against players that have been in the league for years.
“I’m willing to debate. I love it. Like, tell me I’m wrong, but bring facts to the table. And so that’s the biggest thing, there’s no hate on Angel Reese. I love her. She plays for the Chicago Sky, I saw her at my jersey retirement vs. L.A., so it’s nothing like that. … I will never attack anyone’s character, I will never attack who they are ever, and I just hope others will do the same.”
“I put [Reese] right at that ‘C’ level,”. “I think in terms of being above, you have to be able to have the ability to carry your team, be a one or two option. I think Angel Reese is fantastic at her role, which is offensive rebounding. She showed and demonstrated so much growth in that first year.”
There’s a difference between hate and holding space for real conversations.
Candace Parker & Ros talk Candace’s recent Angel Reese comments, criticism in women’s sports, and why objectivity shouldn’t feel like betrayal.Full episode with @ROSGO21 & @Candace_Parker dropping… pic.twitter.com/RR5ETWKveQ
— Good Follow (@GoodFollowShow) July 22, 2025
For context, Parker was asked to categorize selected WNBA players into tiers. She ranked A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart in the top “S” tier; guards Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Plum, and Sabrina Ionescu in the “A” tier; and the Dallas Wings duo of Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers in the “B” tier.
Reese and Cameron Brink were placed in the “C” tier, which is the second-lowest.
