Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese embody the most promising rivalry in basketball since the era of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the NBA four decades ago. However, in contrast to the iconic stars of the Lakers and Celtics, Clark and Reese still have the opportunity to collaborate on the court.
“One day, hopefully, we’ll be teammates,” Reese expressed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal Magazine, discussing her aspirations alongside league MVP A’Ja Wilson.
The Chicago Sky power forward has previously expressed her interest in playing alongside the Indiana Fever’s rookie standout. Reese, who gained prominence as a star at LSU, made this statement while commencing her final season in Baton Rouge in 2023, shortly after her Tigers triumphed over Clark’s Iowa in the NCAA Finals.
Reese remarked to the Journal regarding the 2023 national championship, “My life literally just changed from that game,” highlighting the significance of that match, which is regarded as one of the most highly rated in women’s basketball history.
Reese famously directed John Cena’s ‘You Can’t See Me’ hand gesture at Clark during that final, a move that the Iowa star had previously shown to another player in the tournament.
However, Clark’s gesture was aimed at a white player, specifically then-Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith, and it didn’t generate the same buzz on social media as Reese’s did.
The public response to the social media sensation referred to as Bayou Barbie was markedly different. Numerous individuals labeled her as ‘classless,’ while others engaged in racially charged attacks.
Throughout her inaugural WNBA season, Clark remained unfazed by the criticism. She anticipated some backlash and recognized that she had previously directed similar comments towards Van Lith just a week prior.
“Everyone anticipated some playful banter,” Clark remarked in 2023.
Clark and Reese have become forever intertwined in the annals of women’s basketball.
The 2023 NCAA Finals, where Reese’s Tigers triumphed over Clark’s Hawkeyes, is still regarded as one of the most-watched games in the sport’s history. Their rematch on April 4 in the Elite 8 even surpassed that record.
The WNBA experienced remarkable success in 2024, surpassing all previous sales and viewership records. During the current finals between New York and Minnesota, the league has recorded an impressive 82-percent increase in viewership compared to the previous year, averaging 1.24 million viewers per game.
“We have attracted a significant number of fans to this league,” Reese remarked regarding her and Clark’s contributions. “I believe we will maintain this momentum moving forward.”
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