A New Chapter Together on the National Team
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are playing together for the United States at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. Their interactions have become a subplot of the tournament, the WNBA season, and social media debates. Both players are intense competitors, and their fan bases are fiercely loyal. On social media, fans often feel they must choose between Reese or Clark, similar to rooting for Duke or Carolina, the Yankees or the Red Sox, or Bird or Magic.
Clark Says Narratives Are False
Caitlin Clark said many of the stories about their relationship are false takes. She said she loves the fiery competitiveness that she and Reese share. Clark explained that there will always be people who create narratives and say whatever they want, and there is no stopping that. She added that for the two of them, it is easy to come in and compete together.
Reese Enjoying the Experience
Angel Reese said she has enjoyed playing with Clark and the other young members of the roster, including Paige Bueckers and Aliyah Boston. Reese said they can rely on each other and lean on each other. She noted that this is their first big national event, so being able to play with each other, learn each other, and go through the learning process together has been fun.
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History of Their Rivalry
Clark and Reese have played together before on the 2024 WNBA All-Star team that beat the U.S. Olympic team. However, they will always be linked after their clash in the 2023 NCAA title game, which brought them into the center of debates. Reese’s LSU squad defeated Clark’s Iowa team in that matchup. The players’ actions and interactions, including Reese pointing to her ring finger in the closing seconds, drew widespread attention.
Clark Appreciates Reese’s Competitive Drive
Clark said she appreciates Reese’s desire to win and her relentlessness on the court. She said it has been fun to play with her. Clark laughed while recalling one incident in the tournament that got some attention. When Clark was subbing in during the opener against China and started to step on the court before being officially told to, Reese, who was entering the game at the same time, pulled her back off the court. Clark said the referee had gotten mad at her a couple of times prior, so Reese was saving her from the referee getting mad again.
A Friendly Moment Between the Two
In another lighthearted moment, Angel Reese was talking to the media after a tight win over Italy when Clark ducked past her, apologizing for interrupting the interviews. Reese smiled and gave Clark a high-five as she went by.
Back to Being Opponents Soon
The two will be back on opposite sides soon enough. Reese’s Atlanta Dream and Clark’s Indiana Fever are both headed for the WNBA playoffs and both have 26-14 records. They could meet in the first round if the current seeds hold. But for now, they share a common goal. The fact that Reese and Clark say they are having fun on the court together is good news for U.S. women’s basketball fans. The duo could be part of a core group of players expected to be teammates in the next several Olympics.