Angel Reese had a very mature response to Alyssa Thomas' hard foul on her that people called dirty

Angel Reese knows what comes with being a rookie.

After being drafted by the Chicago Sky last month, Angel Reese said part of her decision to go pro had to do with a desire to start over as a rookie again: “I want to be knocked down by vets, and I want to be able to get up and grow.”

Well, she got her first taste of a vet knocking her down Saturday, in the third quarter of Chicago’s game against the undefeated Connecticut Sun. And it came courtesy of last year’s MVP runner-up Alyssa Thomas, who pulled Reese to the ground with an arm on her neck as Reese went for an offensive rebound.

Thomas received a flagrant-2 penalty and ejection for the hard foul.

Alyssa Thomas was ejected after a hard foul on Angel Reese. pic.twitter.com/CxJNDkfePd

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 26, 2024

However, while much of the internet was up in arms about the dirty play, Reese’s response was mature beyond her years. The 22-year-old actually thanked Thomas in her postgame presser.

“Thank you AT for sending a message to me, because I got back up and I kept going and kept pushing,” said Reese, who said she’s been cool with the 32-year-old Thomas since college, when she played for Thomas’ alma mater Maryland before transferring to LSU.

Angel Reese on that hard foul by Alyssa Thomas which led to an ejection: “They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. … They’re not supposed to be nice to me. … Thank you AT for sending a message to me because I got back up and I kept going.” pic.twitter.com/tZUsMjSm8g

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) May 26, 2024

Reese doubled down on X (formerly Twitter) later in the night, letting everyone know she was fine. “It’s just basketball,” she tweeted.

EVERYONE, i’m good! its just basketball. we gon shake back! #skytown

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) May 26, 2024