The long-considered rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has now also found its place in the WNBA, as both players had impressive rookie seasons with their respective teams, the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. The tension resurfaced this season when Clark was penalized for a flagrant foul against Reese, igniting discussions between the two teams.

Given their status as star athletes attracting significant attention to women’s basketball, their parallels invite frequent comparisons. Last year’s Rookie of the Year contest only fueled the fire of this debate as Clark and Reese went head to head, eventually leading Clark to gain the upper hand.

Candace Parker, a WNBA icon, has publicly called for a change in this narrative. She emphatically stated, “I just think that it’s like comparing apples and oranges.” On the Spolitics podcast, she insisted that while both players are excellent in their own right, they should not be pitted against each other in a debate.

Clark’s injury has delayed her 2025 season, as she has missed games due to a quad injury after a stellar start. Meanwhile, Reese is struggling with her performance, but Parker remains optimistic about her potential improvements, stating:

“I think there are a number of things that Angel can improve on…”

The rivalry’s roots go back to their NCAA Tournament days, where they faced off twice, resulting in one win each, with Reese’s LSU team defeating Clark’s Iowa in the 2023 championship but losing in the 2024 Elite Eight.