Basketball rivals Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese wore the same jerseys for the first time as professionals at their WNBA team’s practice on Friday.
And the seventh overall selection in this year’s WNBA Draft was the best player to have had at least one chance at the top pick. Friendly competition.
The Indiana Fever’s Clark and Chicago Sky’s Reese took half-court shots during practice for the WNBA All-Star Game on Friday, with Clark missing the shot and Reese making it to loud applause from her teammates.
The two rookies were taking part in All-Star Weekend and were gearing up for Saturday’s game against a superstar-studded Team USA at the Footprint Center.
The rookies also executed the pick-and-roll perfectly.
Reese made a layup off the glass off a quick bounce pass from Clark.
In another moment, Clark and Reese were working on their shooting mechanics and made shots at the same time, sparking excitement on social media.
The rivalry between Clark and Reese dates back to their collegiate days, specifically the 2023 NCAA finals.
Reese, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, led the LSU Tigers to their first ever championship, beating Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85.
In 2023-24, the tables were turned, with Clark getting his revenge in the Elite Eight and sending Reese home to end her collegiate career.
Through three games, the rivalry has intensified between the two teams, both of which are just beginning their WNBA careers.
In a June 16 game that the Fever won 91-83, Clark was called for a flagrant foul after being hit in the head by Reese.
This came just after the Sky’s Chennedy Carter took down Clark with a hard off-ball foul in a game earlier this month, prompting Reese to jump up from the bench to applaud.
But Clark and Rees will join forces in Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup.
Clark, who is averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game, expressed his excitement despite feeling nervous about wearing a different uniform.
She also set a WNBA single-game record with 19 assists in a loss to the Dallas Wings earlier this week.
“I’m super excited,” Clark said on the red carpet Thursday as All-Star weekend began. “I think it’s awesome. It’s obviously a rare thing to have two rookies in the All-Star Game, so I’m just enjoying it.”
Meanwhile, Reese, who averaged 13.5 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals this season, has taken a different approach.
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said. Friday Interview“Everyone can wear a ‘get along’ shirt for at least one day.”
