Epic Showdown: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese – From NCAA to WNBA
In the world of women’s professional basketball, few rivalries have captured the attention of fans and media like the competition between Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, two young stars who have created some of the most unforgettable moments of the 2024 WNBA season. This rivalry is not new, as both players have a history of intense and dramatic matchups dating back to their NCAA college days, where they wrote memorable chapters in the history of American women’s basketball.
In 2023, one of the most-watched NCAA Tournament finals in history saw Angel Reese’s LSU Tigers triumph over Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the national championship game with commanding performance and remarkable confidence. The most controversial moment of that game was Reese’s taunting “you can’t see me” gesture directed at Clark, which sparked weeks of heated debate across media and social platforms, dividing fans into supporters and critics.
However, revenge came in 2024 when Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes delivered a sweet comeback in the Albany 2 Regional Final, defeating the LSU Tigers 94-87 in a thrilling and emotional game, proving that basketball is a sport full of surprises and opportunities for stunning turnarounds. Although Clark and Reese play different positions and have contrasting styles—Clark is renowned for her long-range scoring and exceptional court vision, while Reese is known as a dominant forward with rebounding prowess and control in the paint—the comparisons between these two stars have been a constant topic of discussion in the basketball community, from their college days to their transition to the professional stage.
Last weekend showcased stellar performances from both stars. Caitlin Clark, returning after missing five games due to injury, made an immediate impact with a 32-point, 8-rebound, and 9-assist performance to lead the Indiana Fever to a victory over the previously undefeated New York Liberty in what was considered one of the season’s most impressive comebacks. Her performance not only left media and basketball fans in awe but also caught the attention of NBA superstar LeBron James, who publicly praised Clark on X, showing respect from one of basketball’s all-time greats.
Just a day later, Angel Reese delivered an equally remarkable performance, recording her first career WNBA triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a win over the Connecticut Sun, becoming the second player this season after Clark to achieve this prestigious milestone. However, controversy arose among fans when LeBron James chose to congratulate Clark but remained silent about Reese’s achievement, a perceived bias that left many fans feeling frustrated and disappointed with the Lakers star’s stance.
One fan called out LeBron in a post that garnered over 100,000 views on X, with a flood of comments expressing dissatisfaction with James’ apparent favoritism, including sharp critiques like “LeBum for a reason. MJ the GOAT” and “He’s never spoken on ar, He never will. I’m glad he hasn’t. She doesn’t need it.” These negative reactions highlight perceived disparities in how media and sports stars treat Clark and Reese, with Clark often seen as the “media darling” while Reese faces less attention or even bias.
Not all fans viewed LeBron’s actions as disrespectful, however. Some pointed out that while Reese’s triple-double was impressive, she shot only 2-for-7 from the field and achieved it against a struggling Connecticut Sun team, making it arguably less impactful than Clark’s well-rounded performance against a formidable opponent like the New York Liberty. This debate further underscores the polarized perspectives in evaluating and comparing these two young stars, with each side offering arguments to defend their favorite and critique the other.
Assuming both players stay healthy and avoid injuries, WNBA fans can look forward to their next head-to-head matchup on July 27 in Chicago, a game that promises to draw the attention of the entire basketball community and could be one of the most-watched games of the 2024 WNBA season.