Angel Reese Sparks Controversy Over Unrivaled MVP Decision
Angel Reese isn’t one to stay silent, and she certainly didn’t hold back after Unrivaled announced its regular-season awards. While Napheesa Collier celebrated being named the league’s first-ever MVP, Reese had a very different opinion. Rather than congratulating Collier, she took to social media to express exactly who she believed should have won the award.
Reese and Collier’s rivalry has been simmering for some time, and their competitive tension escalated during a March 7 Unrivaled matchup between Reese’s Rose BC and Collier’s Lunar Owls. Reese stole the ball from Collier and sprinted down the court, only for a frustrated Collier to chase her down and appear to shove her. Though the referees let it slide, fans didn’t. The intensity only grew when Collier, the league’s top scorer, taunted Reese after making a tough layup. Now, with the MVP announcement, the tension between the two has reached a new level.
Unrivaled revealed its regular-season honors just before the championship game, naming Collier as MVP. However, Reese was far from pleased with the decision.
Shortly after the announcement, Reese made her stance crystal clear by tweeting:
“CHELSEA MF GRAY. MV PG. END OF CONVO.”
With that, she made it obvious—no congratulations for Collier, no acknowledgment of her win. Instead, Reese publicly declared that Chelsea Gray was the true MVP.
A Heated Debate Over the MVP Award
Reese wasn’t alone in her frustration. Many fans were also upset that she was snubbed for First Team honors despite her standout season and Defensive Player of the Year award. She averaged a double-double, dominating on both ends of the floor, and many believed she deserved more recognition—including a First Team selection alongside Collier.
Reese’s argument gained even more traction following Chelsea Gray’s remarkable performance in Rose BC’s 63-57 semifinal victory over the Laces. Gray put on an all-time display, scoring an Unrivaled-record 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting, including 21 straight points in the second half. When the game was on the line, she drilled a clutch three-pointer from the top of the arc to secure the win and send Rose BC to the championship game.
Gray’s performance was even more impressive given that she did it without Reese (who was sidelined with a hand injury) and Kahleah Copper (who missed the second half of the season with a leg injury). Naz Hillmon contributed 8 points and 3 steals in her Unrivaled debut, while Azurá Stevens added 8 points and 11 rebounds to help Rose secure the win.
Meanwhile, Collier’s Lunar Owls, at full strength, suffered a stunning upset loss to the Vinyl in the other semifinal. Dearica Hamby’s clutch left-handed layup knocked out the top-seeded Owls, a shocking result considering they had only lost one game all season.
Despite the disappointing playoff exit, Collier handled her MVP victory with grace. “I couldn’t do any of this without my teammates,” she said. “This has been such an incredible season, and everyone played a part in our success.”
Even with Collier holding the official MVP trophy, Gray’s clutch performance in the playoffs spoke volumes. And Reese’s tweet? It made it abundantly clear where her loyalty stood—and it wasn’t with Collier.
Angel Reese Makes History in Unrivaled
Beyond the MVP debate, Reese has already cemented her legacy in Unrivaled’s debut season. She made history by becoming the first player to record a 20-20 game, finishing the season averaging 13.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
Defensively, she anchored Rose BC, helping them hold opponents to a league-low 65.2 points per game. This defensive edge played a huge role in Rose’s remarkable turnaround after a slow start.
The team began the season 1-4, appearing to be on the verge of missing the playoffs. However, they turned things around in spectacular fashion, winning five straight games—including handing the Lunar Owls their only regular-season loss. Rose ultimately won seven of their final nine games, entering the playoffs as one of the league’s hottest teams.
Chelsea Gray, who led the charge alongside Reese, summed up the journey perfectly:
“I’m always the person who believes it’s not the way you start the season, it’s the way you finish it. Midway through you want to start building those habits and chemistry and camaraderie.”
Reese’s leadership extended beyond the court as well. To close out the season, she surprised her teammates with brand-new Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds as a token of appreciation. “Hope you enjoy the new Powerbeats Pro 2 as a small token of my love and appreciation for my Roses! … ‘Every petal is needed to make a rose,’” she shared.
What’s Next for Angel Reese?
Looking back, Reese described this season as a stepping stone for what’s ahead—the WNBA season in May. She’s already made history in Unrivaled, and now, she’s determined to carry that momentum into the next stage of her career.
As for the MVP debate? It’s clear Reese isn’t backing down. Whether fans agree or not, one thing is certain—the rivalry between Reese and Collier is just getting started.