Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark helped bring unprecedented attention to women’s basketball.
Clark was the first player selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft, with the Chicago Sky selecting Reese with the seventh overall pick. The excitement surrounding these star players has carried over from college to the professional ranks, with Reese and Clark facing off in the WNBA for the second time on Sunday afternoon.
The first matchup between the Sky and Fever was marred by a controversial foul: Sky guard Chennedy Carter scored a basket late in the third quarter, then she switched to defense and began guarding Clark, who was getting open to receive an inbounds pass.
Clark never touched the ball when Carter shoulder-checked the Fever star, sending him to the floor, and the umpire immediately called a foul on Carter.
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Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky shoots a free throw during a WNBA preseason game against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center on May 3, 2024 in Minneapolis. (Getty Images)
Reece will once again bring a special pair of sneakers with him for the highly anticipated rematch. The Sky forward will wear custom Joker-themed sneakers in the match against the Fever on Father’s Day.
The purple, red and white shoes feature a green Reebok logo, with The Joker’s infamous grin appearing on the front of the sneaker along with the words “Ha Ha.”
Angel Reese credits LSU coach Kim Mulkey for early WNBA success
Rees painted the name, image and likeness (NIL) The Reebok deal Reese was appointed as a brand ambassador for Reebok in October and serves as a brand ambassador for the company. She also works on Reebok’s footwear and sportswear collections.
While it’s unclear what the significance of the custom shoes is, some have speculated that they could be another sign that Reese is more open to playing villainous characters.
“It all started with the national championship game.” Rees told reporters: June 3. “I’ve been dealing with this for two years now. I understand that negative things have been said about me. But honestly, I accept it. Because look at what’s going on with women’s basketball. The people that are talking about women’s basketball are people that you would never think were talking about women’s basketball.”
“People come to the games just for one game. Celebrities come to the games. Arenas are sold out. Look at that. I take on that role. I take on the bad guy. And I’m going to take on that role and continue to be the bad guy to my teammates. I’m going to go down in history if that’s what I want to do. I’m going to look back on it in 20 years. For example, the reason we watch women’s basketball isn’t just because of one person. It’s also because of me. And I want people to realize that.”
Reese and Clark faced off in 2023. NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball The national championship game, Reese and LSU beat Clark and Iowa, but the Hawkeyes won in the Elite Eight in early April.
Reese points. The image of Reese placing a ring on Clark’s ring finger in the final moments of the 2023 national title game became an indelible memory, and the rivalry between Reese and Clark has been widely discussed ever since.
Louisiana State University’s Angel Reese reacts in front of Iowa University’s Caitlin Clark during the second half of the NCAA National Championships on April 2, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Both players say they respect each other’s game and that the rivalry is not bitter or personal.
“Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other,” Reese said during the NCAA Tournament in April. “I want everybody to understand that. It’s just a super competitive game. If I get between the lines, I don’t have friends. I have a lot of friends on the court that I talk to outside of the game, but if I get between the lines, we’re not friends. We’re not buddies. I’m gonna call you names. I’m gonna do anything to get in your head the whole game, but I’m gonna kick your ass when the game is over.”
Clark praised Reese’s competitive spirit, saying, “Me and Angel have always been great competitors.”
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark handles the ball during a game against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena on June 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. (G. Fiume/Getty Images)
Clark added that great talent and competition are helping to raise the level of women’s basketball.
“The biggest thing is women’s basketball is in really great shape,” Clark said in March.
Reese is averaging 12.2 points and 10 rebounds through her first 12 games in the WNBA and said she’s enjoying the transition from college to the pros.
“It’s been awesome,” Reese told ESPN earlier this season. “I’ve been able to impact the game in a lot of different ways, understand the transitions, be patient with myself and just be patient with everything. I’ve just been able to enjoy the game and get better every game.”
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Clark is averaging 15.6 points and six assists per game, including a career-high 30 points in a win over the Washington Mystics on June 7.
The nationally televised game will kick off at 12pm ET.
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