The WNBA has gotten off to a brilliant start. The Golden State Valkyries lost their first game 84-67 to the Los Angeles Sparks, the New York Liberty beat Las Vegas Aces 92-78, and the Indiana Fever blew out Chicago Sky 93-58. The biggest talking point from the games that have taken place thus far is the competitiveness between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Clark was given a flagrant for a hard foul on Reese, and she responded by trying to run up to Clark. Let’s discuss why the rivalry between Clark and Reese is brilliant for the WNBA.
Angel Reese And Caitlin Clark’s Rivalry is Good For The WNBA
They Competed In College Before Playing in The WNBA
These two players were big rivals when they played each other in college. Reese and LSU played against Clark and Iowa in the NCAA championship’s Elite Eight tournament last year. On that day, Clark’s side ran out 94-87 winners. Iowa went on to lose the final against Dawn Staley’s South Carolina. In the previous year, LSU defeated Iowa 102-85 in the 2023 NCAA championship final. On that occasion, Clark scored 30 points while Reese got 15 points and 10 rebounds. This isn’t surprising as Reese is more known for her rebounding while Clark can get buckets in her sleep.
It is no surprise that these two were the biggest names coming out of the WNBA draft last year given how well they did in college. Given the hype surrounding her at LSU, it is hard to believe that Reese was the seventh pick.
They Were Both in The Rookie Of The Year Conversation
Caitlin Clark won the Rookie of the Year behind a historic rookie season. In year 1, she averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. Angel Reese finished second, which isn’t a surprise given that she led the league in rebounds in her rookie season (13.1). Both players have completely different skill sets. One is a generational rebounder while the other is a generational playmaker and scorer. Rickea Jackson could have challenged Reese for second place if Lynne Roberts trusted her earlier in the season. There was more spotlight on Clark and Reese than Jackson in last year’s draft, as they were bigger names.
They Could be Teammates for Team USA at the Next World Cup
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark did not make the Olympic roster, but they have every chance of making the FIBA Women’s World Cup next year. The main reason neither of them made that roster is that they did not have a break from college basketball. If both players keep improving, there is every chance that they could both play for Team USA at the upcoming World Cup, scheduled for September 2026 in Berlin. It will still be hard, as several players are ahead of them in the pecking order.
If they make the squad, it won’t be the first time they have been teammates. They played together in the All-Star break when Team WNBA played Team USA. Clark finished with four points and ten assists as a starter, while Reese tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds, one steal and one block off the bench.
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