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

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