"Angel Reese and Clark expressed mutual admiration as little-known AAU teammates, now they're bitter opponents in the WNBA"
Firebrand Faceoff:angel Reese and Caitlin Clark Ignite WNBA Passions
These ladies are making waves in the WNBA, and their names evoke strong reactions, fueling lively debates.
Caitlin Clark, the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year, is not only impressive on the court but also stirs up controversy.
The sparks fly again on Saturday when their teams square off, with Clark's Indiana Fever hosting Reese's Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
"I reckon folks get riled up because as a player, nobody likes being overshadowed," NBA legend and TNT commentator Shaquille O'Neal said on The Big Podcast. "I call it stealing the limelight. It's professional jealousy."
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memory lane, Clark and Reese's rivalry started long before they joined the WNBA. They were buddies on the AAU circuit and rivals on the collegiate stage.
Reese even chimed in about Clark back in 2023, praising her before they both turned pro. "I am crazy about Caitlin," said Reese. "It was always fun and competitive. I hope we can be teammates someday. She's a fantastic player with a terrific shot, an awesome person, and a superb teammate."
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Reese anticipated the fame and pressure that awaited her as the No. 2 pick, admitting it was "kind of hard with a lot of expectation on me being No. 2."
Their NCAA showdown in 2023 saw the first whispers of Clark's name, adding to Reese's growing clout in the basketball realm. When Reese slyly taunted Clark in LSU's 102-85 victory, spectators were torn between backing the future WNBA No. 1 pick or siding with the No. 7-drafted Reese.
Clark and Iowa got their redemption in 2024's Elite 8, as Clark poured in 41 points, and Reese tallied 17 points and 20 rebounds before being pushed out with fouls.
The sport took a step forward with the championship rematch, drawing 12.3 million viewers and setting a record for the most-viewed college basketball game ever on ESPN.
"Just made history, having the ability to be a part of this," Reese said. "Regardless of the outcome, tonight was destined to be a legendary night. Playing against another fantastic player is always an amazing experience."
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When Clark and Reese first clashed in the pros, controversy swirled around a hard shoulder shot Clark received from Chicago's Chennedy Carter during an inbound play. Carter initially dodged questions about Clark's foul. Reese supported her new WNBA teammate, adding fuel to the ongoing debate that remains simmering.
"It wasn't what I anticipated," Clark admitted about the foul. "It's football; it's physical. All I could do was head to the line and execute."
Before representing two contrasting sides in a never-ending argument, Reese provided perspective on their relationship.
"The world needs a good and bad character in a story," Reese said at LSU. "Depending on who you root for, we fill different roles in today's WNBA."
A refrain from a different tune, the first encounter in the pros was a stark contrast to their current dynamic. The sports world is eagerly awaiting their next standoff on Clark's home turf.
- The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese isn't confined to the WNBA; their varied opinions and styles have stirred the pot since their AAU days, spilling over into their college careers and now into professional basketball.
- While the football field may be distinct from the basketball court, Caitlin Clark's experience of a hard shoulder shot in the WNBA has echoes of the physical nature of football, often associated with the NFL.
- Amidst the buzz surrounding NBA stars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Shaq, and rising talents in the NFL such as Taiwo Awoniyi, the budding rivalry between WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese promises to add a new chapter to the annals of sports.
