The Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark Women's Basketball Drama, Explained | Glamour

Angel Reese clarifies her stance, emphasizing her focus solely on court performance. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the ex-Louisiana State University standout forward recounted her experience spending time with fellow 2024 WNBA draft prospects prior to Monday’s draft held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City.

Amidst expressing her enjoyment of the camaraderie with other prospects, Reese indirectly addresses rumors of past tensions, notably with former Iowa Hawkeyes standout Caitlin Clark. Reflecting on the weekend in NYC, she highlights the camaraderie among competitors over the past four years, emphasizing the collective fun and competitive spirit evident on the court.

She unequivocally asserts, “NOTHING IS PERSONAL!!!” underscoring her commitment to separating on-court intensity from personal relationships.

Reese and Clark’s presence together at pre-draft events in New York City further dispels any lingering speculation. Captured in photos alongside other draft prospects, their amicable interactions, including a shared selfie, demonstrate a cordial relationship amidst their competitive endeavors.

On a recent Tuesday, Reese shared a TikTok video featuring herself and Brink engaging in a lively dance routine, with Clark lounging on a nearby couch in the background.

Angel Reese Addresses Racism, Hate, but Shouldn't Have to | POPSUGAR Fitness

Their camaraderie was further evidenced by joint photo opportunities at Monday’s draft event, where Reese secured the No. 7 pick with the Chicago Sky, while Clark clinched the coveted No. 1 spot with the Indiana Fever.

Nevertheless, Reese has faced fervent criticism for her on-court trash-talking antics. The 21-year-old received backlash, deemed “classless,” for mimicking the “you can’t see me” hand gesture, popularized by wrestler-turned-actor John Cena, directed at Clark during last year’s NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball tournament championship game, which saw LSU Tigers triumph over the Hawkeyes.

The ensuing public outcry has raised questions about the disparities in treatment, with many attributing the harsh condemnation faced by Reese, a Black athlete, to underlying racism and sexism. It’s been noted that male players and white female counterparts typically don’t face comparable scrutiny for similar behavior.

Interestingly, Clark, who is white, performed the same gesture without encountering comparable backlash to Reese’s, further fueling discussions on the intersectionality of race and gender in sports discourse.

Both athletes have consistently maintained that their competitive conduct during games stems from a desire to excel in the moment, emphasizing mutual respect for one another.

In a previous instance in February, Reese publicly lauded Clark’s achievement as the NCAA Division 1 all-time leading scorer, underscoring their shared commitment to breaking barriers and leaving a lasting imprint on the sport.