Angel Reese insisted before Monday’s highly anticipated LSU vs. Iowa March Madness game that there is no hatred between her and Caitlin Clark.
After LSU’s loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight, the two hugged after the game, and Reese made a point of whispering something in Clark’s ear.
Reese, 21, and Clark, 22, embraced in the handshake line, and ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco, who called the game with Basketball Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo, said there were some lively moments.
Reese talked about the words he exchanged with Clark after the game.
“She just told me, ‘You’re going to continue to be a great player.’ Reese said In the post-match press conference, she became emotional as she talked about the intense scrutiny she had endured. “And I told her, ‘She’s just going to continue to be a great player and continue to improve her game and go win.'”
Reese and Clark continued to insist they had no beef after LSU defeated Iowa State 102-85 in last year’s title game.
When the Tigers defeated the Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Women’s Championship, Reese famously waved her hand in front of Clark’s face — a “you can’t see me” gesture).
Reese received criticism and scrutiny on a national level for her showmanship and unapologetic demeanor, but Clark later defended her.
The Baltimore native also supported Clark as the Iowa-born guard broke the NCAA Division I women’s basketball scoring record this season.
Before the LSU vs. Iowa Elite Eight matchup, Reese described her and Clark’s relationship as “very competitive” and explained that they don’t hate each other.
“I don’t think people understand that it’s not personal,” Reese said Sunday. “Once you step between the lines and see you walking down the street, you’re like, ‘Hey, girl, what’s up? Let’s play.’ People take it like we hate each other. Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other, and I want everyone to understand that. It’s just a super competitive game. When you get between that line, your friends… No. I’m going to talk trash to you. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get into your head for the entire game, but when the game’s over, let’s kick it. People are going to get into that. I don’t think you really realize it.
“That’s fine. I’ll play the villain. I’ll take it with a grain of salt, but I know we’re growing women’s basketball. If this is how we’re going to do it, this is how we’re going to do it.” It’s the way it’s going to be done. You either like it or you don’t.”
Reese had 17 points and 20 rebounds in 36 minutes, fouling out just under two minutes into the fourth quarter.
Clark advanced to the Final Four on Monday against LSU with 41 points, including nine 3-pointers, 12 assists, seven rebounds, two steals and one block.
Clark has declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft and is the consensus No. 1 pick owned by the Indiana Fever.
Reese has the option of returning to LSU for another year or declaring for the draft, where he is expected to be a first-round draft pick.
She will decide within 48 hours of the loss whether to participate in the draft, which will be held in Brooklyn on April 15.
