Angel Reese on singing Lift Every Voice after boos

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese described an emotional pregame moment during a recent series against the Indiana Fever, explaining that singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" resonated deeply with her after receiving loud boos from opposing fans. Reese made the comments on Saturday, June 20, following her team's second victory over the Fever in three days.

The moment occurred on Thursday, June 18, before Atlanta's game in Indianapolis on the eve of the Juneteenth holiday. Cameras showed Reese singing along to the hymn, often referred to as the Black National Anthem. After her team completed a two-game sweep with a 113-96 win in Atlanta on Saturday, Reese connected the experience to challenges she says she has faced.

"It was just one in the moment of where I was, and how it felt, and how it hit, and the things that I've had to experience the last couple years, and they haven't always been great," Reese told reporters. "It's not supposed to be easy, but I am very, very grateful for this opportunity to be a Black woman, it's a privilege... being where I was, hearing the loud boos when I was in the arena, and then when I heard 'Lift Every Voice,' it just made me feel like, this is...