Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark: Why This WNBA Rivalry Is About More Than Just Basketball

The WNBA is heating up, and at the center of the storm are two of the league’s brightest young stars: Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Their rivalry, which began with a legendary showdown in the 2023 NCAA national championship, has become one of the most talked-about storylines in sports. But is it being viewed through the right lens?

A Rivalry Born in the Spotlight

Reese and Clark have been linked ever since Reese’s LSU Tigers toppled Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes for the national title, punctuated by Reese’s now-iconic “you can’t see me” taunt. Clark, ever the competitor, brushed it off as part of the game, insisting that Reese “should not have been criticized at all.” It was, she said, simply the spirit of competition.

But when the Indiana Fever’s Clark delivered a flagrant foul to Chicago Sky’s Reese last Saturday, the narrative reignited. The incident sparked debate among fans and media alike: Was this just fierce competition—or something more?

Jemele Hill: “This Is About More Than Basketball”

Former ESPN host Jemele Hill is urging fans to look deeper. In a recent YouTube segment, Hill argued that the coverage surrounding Reese and Clark reveals a double standard that has long plagued Black athletes.

“Angel Reese’s very existence rubs a lot of people the wrong way,” Hill said. “No one knows for sure how she feels about Caitlin Clark, but what we do know is that she feels she deserves more credit for boosting women’s basketball.”

Hill pointed out that Black athletes are often labeled as “cocky” or “arrogant” when showing confidence, while their White counterparts are celebrated for the same traits. “Same tropes, different day,” she said.

Why Can’t We Just Enjoy the Competition?

Hill’s message is clear: Let’s stop turning every Reese-Clark interaction into a controversy. “In sports, we love drama. We love fiery competitors who talk their talk and back it up. But for some reason, when it comes to Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, we refuse to see them as just two highly competitive athletes,” she explained.

Whether they like each other or not, Hill says, is beside the point. “Angel Reese is not the villain in Caitlin Clark’s story, no more than Caitlin Clark is the savior in hers. Every interaction between them does not need to be a think piece.”

A New Era for Women’s Basketball

Reese herself has been vocal about her impact, reminding fans that the sport’s surging popularity is “because of me, too—not just one person.” She’s also spoken out about the challenges she faces, including racism and safety concerns, particularly when playing in Indiana.

Despite the media frenzy, both Reese and Clark have shown mutual respect—most notably when they teamed up as WNBA All-Stars last year.

Let the Game Speak

As the WNBA season unfolds, one thing is certain: the Reese-Clark rivalry is here to stay. But instead of searching for heroes and villains, maybe it’s time to appreciate two elite athletes pushing each other—and their sport—to new heights.

So the next time tensions flare on the court, remember: If we celebrate the intensity of male athletes, shouldn’t we do the same for these women? Let’s enjoy the show.