Angel Reese’s FIBA debut turned chaotic Friday night when the Chicago Sky star was ejected in the third quarter following a physical altercation with China’s team captain Han Xu.
The incident occurred with 4:12 remaining in the period during the United States’ opening game of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifiers. Reese and Han had been battling hard for position under the basket all night. After a contested rebound, the two players became entangled. Video of the sequence showed Reese shoving Han with her forearm while both players fought for the ball. Han responded by pushing back, and the two briefly squared up before officials stepped in.
Referees reviewed the play and assessed Reese a flagrant foul 2, resulting in an automatic ejection. Han received a technical foul but remained in the game. The Chicago Sky forward walked off the floor visibly frustrated, exchanging words with Han as she headed to the locker room.
“It was a physical game and things got heated,” one U.S. teammate said afterward. “Angel competes hard every possession. That’s who she is.”
Han, the 6-foot-9 center and longtime Chinese national team captain, later described the exchange as “competitive basketball that crossed the line for a moment.” She added that she respected Reese’s intensity but felt the shove was unnecessary.
The ejection left the U.S. short-handed for the remainder of the contest. Despite the disruption, the Americans held on for a 78-65 victory. Reese finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds in just over 22 minutes before her exit.
Social media quickly filled with clips of the confrontation. Fans debated whether the call was justified, with some praising Reese’s toughness and others criticizing the physicality. Reese has not yet publicly commented on the ejection.
FIBA officials have not announced any further disciplinary action, though ejections for flagrant fouls typically trigger an automatic review. The U.S. team faces its next qualifier early next week, and it remains unclear whether Reese will be available.
The clash added an unexpected edge to an otherwise strong start for the Americans on the international stage.
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