Clark and Reese Celebrate Gold Together
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese shared moments of camaraderie on the bench during the final round of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. They were seen laughing and expressing emotion when their team faced challenges.
The duo made several significant plays that shifted the momentum of the gold medal game against France just before halftime. It was their first time playing together in high-pressure situations, and they emerged as world champions. Despite often being portrayed as rivals throughout their college and professional careers, Clark insists they’ve always maintained a friendship.
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“We’ve always been friends,” Clark stated after the match, humorously responding to questions about their relationship by saying, “don’t do that.” This comment comes amid much speculation about their dynamic, particularly following the 2023 women’s college basketball national championship when Reese famously pointed at her ring finger at Clark.
The two faced each other again as professionals, drawing over 2.2 million viewers for their second matchup. In interviews, they have typically been respectful when discussing one another.
In a 2024 Time Magazine interview focused on Clark’s Athlete of the Year Award, she was asked about Reese. Clark responded, “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another. Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me?”
Desire for Teamwork
Early in their rivalry, Reese expressed a wish to join forces with Clark, saying in a 2024 WSJ Magazine interview, “We brought a lot of fans to this league. And I think we’re going to continue to do that. And one day, hopefully, we’ll be teammates.”
Their wish came to fruition during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, where Clark recorded 10 assists and Reese contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds, leading their team to victory over the U.S. Olympic team.
In March, both players helped the U.S. maintain a perfect 5-0 record at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico. They’ve now achieved success in Berlin, which may pave the way for further collaboration, especially with the 2028 Olympics around the corner in Los Angeles.
