California – 30 minutes ago. The basketball world was shocked when Angel Reese, a promising young star of the WNBA and the US team, could not hold back her tears at a press conference, sharing the heartbreaking news that her mother had just been diagnosed with a dangerous disease.

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Amidst the flashbulbs of dozens of reporters, Reese choked up, having to pause several times to be able to say each sentence:

“I fought on the court with all my strength, but I have never felt so helpless like this. My mother is the one who sacrificed everything for me to have today. And now, she is facing the most difficult battle of her life.”

Angel Reese, only 23 years old, was carrying the expectations of an entire generation of American women’s basketball on her shoulders. But now, she also had to carry in her heart her own pain that could not be described in words.

The audience in the press conference room was silent when they saw a young, strong star today bowing her head and sobbing. The image quickly went viral on social media, touching millions of fans.

On Twitter and Instagram, hashtags like #PrayForReeseMom and #StayStrongAngel are being shared at a dizzying pace. Many teammates, coaches and even NBA stars sent words of encouragement: “Angel is not alone. The entire basketball community will stand by her and her family during this difficult time.”

A sports commentator wrote: “Angel Reese has been criticized and scrutinized, but she has never lost her pride. And now, when life has tested her in the harshest way, fans understand that her greatest strength lies not only on the court, but in the heart of a loving daughter.”

There is no official information about the detailed condition of Reese’s mother, but surely, this battle will be the biggest test for the whole family. And if there’s one thing everyone who loves Reese believes, it’s this: she will turn this pain into strength, to protect her mother while continuing to dedicate herself to basketball.