Angel Reese has addressed her relationship with Caitlin Clark and the narrative around their rivalry as the two vie for the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
In the first episode of her "Unapologetically Angel" podcast, co-host Maya Reese asked the Chicago Sky star how she felt about the media pitting her and the 2024 WNBA number one draft pick against each other.
While Reese spoke highly of Clark as a player, even calling her "amazing," she has expressed frustration with some of Clark's fanbase.
"Caitlin is an amazing player and I've always thought she was an amazing player ... I think it's really just the fans - her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans - that are ... sometimes it's very disrespectful," the former LSU Tigers standout said.
Reese said that she has received racist comments, death threats, and harassment from some of Clark's fans. The 22-year-old added that some have also sent fake nude images of her to her family.
Despite this, the athlete points out that "there's never been beef" between her and the Indiana Fever star.
"At the end of the day, it's a game that we do both love, but there is no hate. We're going to play on the same team one day, I'm sure," Reese added.
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Reese, Clark Rivalry History
Reese and Clark have been competing since high school, while the two played in AAU.
The rivalry between the superstars started during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game between LSU and the Iowa Hawkeyes. As LSU was about to secure the win, Reese made several provoking gestures to Clark, including pointing to her ring finger, signaling LSU's impending championship victory.
Many considered the move disrespectful and unsportsmanlike.
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The clash continued to the WNBA where the two have been dominating in their rookie season. While many claim Clark is a runaway winner for the Rookie of the Year award, Reese's fans argue she's the most dominant rebounder in the league right now.
It may take until the end of the season on Oct. 20 for the WNBA awards winners to be revealed.
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