During the debut episode of her podcast, *Unapologetically Angel*, Angel Reese reflected on her rookie season in the WNBA. The Chicago Sky star discussed her thoughts on Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, with whom she’s competing for the Rookie of the Year title. While some fans have tried to create a rivalry between them, Reese acknowledged that although Clark’s fans can be disrespectful at times, she considers Clark to be a remarkable player. “Caitlin [Clark] is an amazing player,” Reese said, adding that the issues stem more from Clark’s fans, including those from Iowa and now Indiana.
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’s rivalry began during their college careers with the LSU Tigers and Iowa Hawkeyes. Though they had played against each other at the high school EYBL level, their official stats and win/loss records started accumulating in college. The two squared off in the 2023 National Championship, with Clark ranking as the nation’s second-leading scorer, averaging 27.8 points per game for Iowa, while Reese was dominating with an impressive double-double, averaging 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds per game for LSU.
Reese and LSU ultimately secured a 102-85 victory over Clark and Iowa in the National Championship, marking a significant milestone in Reese’s career. However, their WNBA journeys have unfolded differently. While Reese has been strong for the Chicago Sky, averaging 13.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per game, Clark has truly shined for the Indiana Fever. Averaging 18.9 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game, Clark leads all rookies in scoring and tops the WNBA in assists.
Clark’s impressive performance has also translated into wins for the Fever, helping them secure their first playoff appearance since 2016. Indiana currently holds an 18-16 record, placing them sixth in the WNBA standings.