Angel Reese Talks Playing During Juneteenth Weekend: ‘Ancestors Walked So I Could Run’
Angel Reese took down Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever twice in two days, and now she’s opening up about a viral moment that had fans talking. During the Atlanta Dream‘s matchup against the Fever on Thursday, June 18, cameras caught Reese singing along to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn widely known as the “Black National Anthem.” Reese said hearing the powerful song just before tip-off during Juneteenth weekend sparked something within her, fueling her focus and helping her power through as the Dream completed a two-game sweep over Indiana.
Angel Reese Opens Up About How Much Hearing ‘Lift Every Voice And Sing’ Before Her Game Against The Fever Meant To Her
Reese captured the attention of many on June 18, when a video of her singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” went viral. In the clip, Reese is seen swaying back and forth, looking up at the ceiling while mouthing the lyrics, “Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.”
Social media users were moved by the display, as one wrote, “Y’all could NEVER make me hate her. EVER.” Another commented, “Celebrating Black excellence in a very racially heated arena.”
After today’s (June 20) matchup against the Fever, Reese commented on the moment and explained how much the track means to her and other Black people.
Angel Reese Says Her ‘Ancestors Walked So I Could Run’
Angel Reese on the clip of her singing “Lift Every voice and Sing” making the rounds during Juneteenth weekend:
“My ancestors walked so I could run.”
Reese also said that when the heard the boos for her last game and then the song came on, she felt supported. pic.twitter.com/YZUts6nFpL
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) June 20, 2026
“It was just one of those moments of where I was and how it felt and how it hit and that things that I’ve had to experience over the past couple of years,” she told the media, according to Meghan L. Hall, USA Today reporter. “It hasn’t always been great, but my ancestors walked so I could run.”
She added, “I’ll never forget that. Every day I wake up, I’m very grateful. It’s not supposed to be easy, but I’m very, very grateful for this opportunity to be a Black woman. It’s a privilege, and to be in this space, to shine, and use my voice, it’s very important.”
Reese went on to say that she hadn’t heard the track in a while before that moment, but being in Indiana’s arena and hearing the loud boos ignited something in her. “When I heard [the song], it made me feel like, ‘This is for the ones that walked for me.’ … It’s bigger than me.”
Angel Reese Celebrates Setting WNBA History With Her 1,000th Rebound Of Her Professional Career
Angel Reese on what it means to become the fastest player to reach 1K rebounds in #WNBA history
Question @ItsMeghanLHall“I just think just my work. I think people don’t realize rebounding started when you think defensive rebounds a little bit more easier, but going in and… https://t.co/1rN8BoTwnG
— Wilton C. Jackson II (@WiltonReports) June 20, 2026
On Thursday, Reese recorded her 10th double-double of the season after scoring 21 points and recording 11 rebounds. During the Dream’s second matchup against the Fever in two days, Reese recorded 18 points and 8 rebounds. Her rebounding today also put her in a league of her own, making her the fastest player to reach 1,000 career rebounds in 79 games.
Reese broke her silence about holding the new record, telling Hall that rebounding is an essential skill. “… going in and crashing every single time to get second chance opportunities on the offensive end,” she said. “And you can look statistically, but not just from my shots but from my teammates, and it gives us more points, it gives us more opportunities. Just being able to come out and do what I do every single night just shows my consistency.”
Atlanta Dream Set A New Franchise Record
Karl Smesko on Dream scoring 100+ the last 4 of its 5 matchups:
“Well we have really goo offensive players. That combined with we’re playing with a lot more pace … I think it’s starting to catch on, the pace where we wanna play at.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) June 20, 2026
The Dream beat the Fever on Saturday, 113-96, setting a franchise record for total points scored in a single game. Today’s contest was also the fourth in a row in which Atlanta scored over 100 points.
Head coach Karl Smesko praised his team, which includes Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, and, of course, Reese, calling them “really good offensive players.”
“That combined with we’re playing with a lot more pace … I think it’s starting to catch on, the pace where we wanna play at,” he added.
Toronto Is Up Next
Reese and the rest of the Atlanta Dream will spend the next day recovering before taking on the Toronto Tempo on Monday, July 22, at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
The Angel Reese Talks Playing During Juneteenth Weekend: ‘Ancestors Walked So I Could Run’ first appeared on The Blast
