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- WNBA. Angel Reese says she has no hard feelings toward Caitlin Clark: 'It's just basketball'
Angel Reese recently addressed her rivalry with Caitlin Clark, emphasizing that while their competition is intense, there is no personal animosity between them.
The two WNBA stars, who have faced off since high school, saw their rivalry take center stage during the 2023 NCAA Championship, when Reese, playing for LSU, was accused of taunting Clark after leading her team to victory over Iowa.
Despite the drama surrounding the game, Reese insists that their relationship is based on mutual respect and competitive spirit.
"I've been playing against Caitlin since we were probably in eighth or ninth grade," Reese shared with ComplexCon.
"We were both really competitive, even in high school."
She explained that while they played for different colleges-Reese at Maryland and later LSU, and Clark at Iowa-their rivalry has deep roots that extend beyond college basketball.
Fans have made the rivalry feel, bigger than it is
Reese emphasized that there are no hard feelings between her and Clark.
"It's just basketball, and sometimes it gets crazy," she confirmed.
While she understands the ion of Iowa and Indiana fans ing Clark, Reese also acknowledged the occasional "disrespectful" behavior fueled by social media. Despite this, she is willing to embrace the role of the "villain" if it helps elevate women's basketball.
"Social media is going to put two women against each other, and while it's been negative at times, it's also positive because it shines a light on women's basketball," Reese said.
"I'll take the hate if it helps grow the sport."
Earlier this year, Reese clarified that the rivalry is not personal.
"Me and Caitlin Clark don't hate each other," she said, urging fans to understand that the animosity they see is simply part of the fierce competition that drives both players.
Reese's comments reflect her understanding of the broader impact of their rivalry, acknowledging that while it may come with some negativity, it ultimately helps bring attention to the growth and development of women's sports.