Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are the two newest superstars in the WNBA. Clark was taken first overall in the 2024 WNBA draft out of Iowa by the Indiana Fever while Reese was taken No. 7 overall out of LSU by the Chicago Sky.
Both teams have been able to sell out most of their games due to the viewership these rookies have brought in. The spotlight is huge for these two, especially with the fans. But players have taken notice of it as well and amped up their physicality on Clark and Reese.
In recent interviews, Clark and Reese were asked about the physicality they have been facing. They delivered differing answers. Reese embraced the physical play.
“I’m a basketball player. I want them to come at me every day. I mean, they’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese,” Reese said.
In one of the iconic moments of last year’s NCAA women’s tournament, Angel Reese of LSU points to her ring finger as Iowa’s Caitlin Clark can only watch during the national championship game. LSU defeated Iowa 102 85.
Zach Boyden-Holmes / USA TODAY NETWORK
Clark seemed to not enjoy the physicality.
“I think everybody’s physical with me. They get away with things that, probably, other people don’t get away with. It’s tough,” Clark said.
Both players’ interviews were posted on social media.
WNBA fans did not like Clark’s response when comparing it to Reese’s. They took to social media to bash Clark for it.
“Aaliyah looking at her like ‘really bih?'”
“Somebody’s a 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢 and the other one is tough”
“Caitlin the female Luka stay crying”
“She gotta chill with the whining”
“The difference between a champion and a pretendian hyped up by those with an agenda. Reminds me of how Serena Williams was thwarted by players sent to obstruct her games to have it be revealed after the fact they were doping.”
“At the very least don’t let people see you sweat cc, have some pride. Angel got that dawg in her”