In a fiery matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats, Chicago Sky standout and Unrivaled sensation Angel Reese was ejected from the game during the third quarter following a tense confrontation with Senegalese forward Awa Trémou, sparking widespread debate about officiating in the fledgling 3×3 league.
Reese, visibly frustrated, immediately protested the call, gesturing emphatically and exchanging words with both the official and Trémou. The Senegalese player responded verbally, defending the whistle and pointing out the contact. The back-and-forth escalated quickly—Reese reportedly shouted her disagreement, while Trémou stood her ground, leading to a brief but intense staredown. Officials intervened, assessing Reese a technical foul for her animated protest. As she continued to argue, a second technical was swiftly handed out, resulting in an automatic ejection with 6:42 remaining in the third quarter.
Teammates and coaches rushed to calm the situation, but Reese stormed off the court, shaking her head in disbelief. The crowd erupted in a mix of boos and cheers, highlighting the polarizing nature of the call. Post-game, sources close to the league noted that the referee crew reviewed the play but upheld the decision, citing “disrespectful conduct toward officials and an opponent.”
Reese, who had been dominant with 12 points and 8 rebounds before the exit, later addressed the incident briefly on social media: “Refs gotta see the game right. We play hard, that’s all.” Trémou, staying composed, commented that “basketball is physical—calls go both ways.”
The ejection marked a rare and dramatic moment in Unrivaled’s young history, raising questions about player-official relations and international styles clashing in the fast-paced format. Fans online are split, with many calling the ejection harsh while others praised the officials for maintaining control. As the league continues to grow, incidents like this underscore the passion—and growing pains—of elite women’s 3×3 basketball.
