Caitlin Clark, from the Indiana Fever, and Angel Reese, from the Chicago Sky, are two unique stars in the WNBA. Much has been said about the supposed rivalry between the two players, even from their time in the NCAA. However, the reality seems to be different, as Clark gave Reese advice on how to stand out even more in women’s basketball.
These WNBA stars faced off in the 2023 NCAA National Championship Game. Their talent on the court sparked unprecedented interest in women’s basketball. But more than rivals, they share great respect for each other and have even exchanged tips to improve their performance.
Talent does not equate to animosity between Clark and Reese
According to Cheryl Miller, there is no animosity or fierce rivalry between the two WNBA rookies. In fact, on the “ALL THE SMOKE” podcast, she revealed that both WNBA stars spent time together before the WNBA All-Star Game. During that time, Caitlin Clark gave Angel Reese valuable advice to help her improve her performance.
That game was unforgettable, showcasing the talent in the WNBA, where the United States won 117-109. Before the game, the Fever guard advised Reese to “just fly” and enjoy basketball to the fullest.
In this regard, Miller said: “I was pleased and proud to see that the narrative wasn’t true. And Angel and she got along very well, and watching them practice, and ‘yes, yes, yes, just get up,’ and Caitlin says: ‘Just fly, just fly, just fly.'”
With this, the basketball legend made it clear that the claims of a difficult relationship between Clark and Reese are completely false. In fact, she stated: “Those two people on the floor broke any narrative people were trying to push. There’s no animosity… And watching them interact off the court and shoot and everything else was fun.”
A demonstration of mutual respect and admiration
Caitlin Clark has always enjoyed her encounters with Reese on the court, and she expressed her opinion: “We’re not best friends, in any way, but we’re very respectful of each other. Yes, we’ve had tremendous battles. But when have I backed down? And when has she backed down?”
Angel Reese also shared her perspective with Women’s Health: “I love that we can compete and still be great afterward, regardless of the outside noise… When we get between the lines and we’re ready to compete, we just want to win. That’s the group of women: we always want to win, and we’re strong and super powerful in everything we do.”
Both stars are aware that they have helped boost the popularity of the WNBA. Therefore, they demonstrate that team rivalries do not equate to animosity or disrespect. Additionally, they aim to keep attracting fans to women’s basketball.
