In recent times, there’s been a troubling trend affecting female athletes, including well-known names like Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers. These talented athletes have become targets of fake explicit photos created by artificial intelligence and spread online without their consent. Angel Reese, who was recently drafted into the WNBA, has been particularly vocal about this invasion of privacy, urging for stronger measures to protect young athletes.

Earlier this year, Reese, along with Clark and Bueckers, experienced this digital exploitation firsthand. These athletes, who are on the verge of starting their professional careers, had to deal with the distress of fake explicit images tarnishing their reputations. Reese took to social media to speak out against this misuse of her likeness, stating how uncomfortable and wrong it felt to be sexualized in such a way.

Reese’s journey in basketball has been filled with both successes and challenges. She gained attention in 2022 when she transferred to LSU and quickly became one of the top college athletes. Her skills helped LSU win a national championship in her first season. Despite her achievements in college, Reese faced a tough decision after her senior year: whether to stay in college or enter the WNBA draft. She chose the latter and was selected by the Chicago Sky.

However, her transition to the professional league was overshadowed by the disturbing trend of AI-generated explicit images haunting her and her fellow athletes. As they prepare for their professional careers, the issue of digital privacy is a significant concern. These unauthorized images not only violate their rights but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine their achievements.

Angel Reese’s response to this adversity has been commendable. She has shown resilience and advocacy, pushing for change within the sports community and beyond. Steps must be taken to protect the digital privacy and dignity of female athletes, ensuring they are shielded from exploitation in any form.