Angel Reese has once again addressed the ongoing speculation about her relationship with Caitlin Clark, dispelling rumors of a feud between the two. Both stars, known for their remarkable talent in women’s basketball, have often been linked due to their competitive history, starting from their AAU days. While fans have eagerly followed their journeys, the two athletes have repeatedly stated that any perceived rivalry is more about competition than animosity. Reese, who now plays for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA, made it clear that there are no hard feelings between herself and Clark, emphasizing, “I don’t have any hard feelings toward her.”
Reese and Clark first crossed paths in college—Reese at Maryland before transferring to LSU and Clark at Iowa. Their fierce on-court battles during their college years became widely discussed, especially during high-stakes games. Despite the hype and speculation fueled by social media, Reese has reiterated that what is often portrayed as a personal rivalry is, in reality, just the nature of their competitive spirits. She acknowledged the role of social media in amplifying the tension between them, but remains focused on growing the game of women’s basketball. “At the end of the day, I know I’m the person that’s growing basketball and helping women’s basketball,” Reese said.
The rumors of a rivalry reached a fever pitch during the National Championship game between LSU and Iowa. After LSU’s victory, Reese made some gestures on the court—most notably the “you can’t see me” hand wave and pointing to her ring finger—that some fans took as a direct shot at Clark. However, Clark, who had previously made the same gestures, defended Reese, stating publicly that she didn’t believe Reese should face criticism for those actions. Reese later addressed the incident, explaining that it wasn’t about disrespect, but rather part of the fierce competition they had shared over the years.
Despite the attention surrounding their relationship, Reese pointed out that much of the animosity was a result of fan-driven narratives. She acknowledged the passion of both Iowa and Indiana fans but clarified that these supporters often misinterpret her relationship with Clark. “I think it’s really just the fans – her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans – that are, like, they ride for her, and I respect that, but sometimes it’s very disrespectful,” Reese explained during her podcast, “Unapologetically Angel.”
As both athletes continue to make waves in the WNBA, it’s clear that the rivalry narrative is something that will likely continue to follow them. However, both Reese and Clark have consistently supported each other in public. They recently shared the stage at the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, demonstrating that despite the intense competition, there is mutual respect between the two. With Clark setting records for her three-point shooting and assists, and Reese excelling at rebounding, both players are carving out their own legacies while continuing to elevate women’s basketball to new heights.
