Caitlin Clark, the rising star of the WNBA and the Indiana Fever, has once again set the record straight on her supposed rivalry with fellow basketball sensation Angel Reese. Following her recognition as Time’s Athlete of the Year, Clark used the spotlight to dismantle the narrative that she and Reese are at odds, both on and off the court.
Addressing the Speculation
In her interview with Time, the 22-year-old shooting guard spoke candidly about the ongoing speculation surrounding her relationship with Reese, who now plays for the Chicago Sky.
“I don’t get that at all,” Clark said of the persistent attempts to pit the two against each other. “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another.”
Clark, who has built a reputation for her sportsmanship and honesty, emphasized that their supposed rivalry has been overblown. “Yes, we’ve had tremendous battles,” she acknowledged. “But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me?”
The Origins of the “Rivalry”
The narrative surrounding Clark and Reese began during the 2023 NCAA National Championship game, where Reese’s LSU Tigers defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes. Toward the end of the game, Reese pointed to her ring finger in Clark’s direction, a gesture that sparked widespread debate on social media.
Clark, however, has consistently downplayed the incident. “I didn’t think it was taunting,” she said. “It really didn’t bother me. It’s just like, ‘Why don’t you talk about them winning? Or the incredible run that we went on that nobody thought we could pull off?’”
She added, “The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up, and it’s continued to follow us ever since.”
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From College Rivals to WNBA Stars
The so-called rivalry followed Clark and Reese into their professional careers. Both were top picks in the 2024 WNBA draft, with Clark selected first overall by the Indiana Fever and Reese going shortly after.
Their first professional meeting came during a Fever-Sky game, which reignited the rivalry narrative after a controversial moment on the court.
In the third quarter of that game, Fever guard Chennedy Carter delivered a hard hip-check to Clark, sending her to the ground. Reese, watching from the bench, cheered on her teammate, an action that some fans perceived as targeted hostility. The moment led to a wave of social media backlash against Reese.
Clark, however, refused to feed into the drama. “I never thought I was being targeted,” she explained. “Obviously, that shouldn’t ever happen in a game. But basketball is physical. Your emotions can get the best of you. My emotions have gotten the best of me many times.”
Regarding Reese’s reaction, Clark dismissed any suggestion of ill intent. “I don’t even know if she really knew what happened,” she said. “Honestly, I don’t think she was cheering because somebody hit me. I really don’t think that would be the case. I hope not.”
Reese’s Perspective
While Reese declined to comment for Time’s profile, she previously addressed the supposed rivalry in an interview with Complex, offering her own take on the situation.
“I think it’s just competition. It’s been competition since college,” Reese said, noting that she and Clark have been facing off since their middle school days. “People don’t know the legacy of us playing against each other for a really long time.”
Reese attributed the narrative to the tendency of society to “put two women against each other,” adding, “I think it’s been something that’s negative, but also positive. It shines a light on women’s basketball, so I’ll take that. I know that, at the end of the day, I’m growing women’s basketball and helping women’s basketball.”
Unity in the Spotlight
Despite the media-fueled tension, Clark and Reese have had opportunities to showcase their mutual respect. During the 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend, the two even played together on the same team. Reese later described the experience as “great,” highlighting the importance of unity in advancing the sport.
“In the future, we’re gonna be playing with each other a lot,” Reese said. “Hopefully, in four years, we can be Olympians together.”
Shifting the Narrative
Clark’s and Reese’s candid comments have begun to reshape the public perception of their relationship. Instead of a heated rivalry, fans are now seeing two athletes who respect each other’s talent and recognize the bigger picture: the growth of women’s basketball.
“It’s just basketball,” Reese said. “I don’t have any hard feelings toward her, and she doesn’t have any hard feelings toward me.”
As two of the brightest stars in the WNBA, Clark and Reese continue to captivate audiences with their skills and competitive spirit.
Their ability to rise above the noise and focus on the game is a testament to their professionalism and commitment to elevating women’s sports.
