Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese starred for Team USA at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament -Credit:TNT
(TNT)
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese proved yet again that there is no bad blood between them after joining forces on Team USA during the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
During the Stars and Stripes’ 84-70 victory over Spain in the final game of the event, Clark and Reese proved on more than one occasion that they have each other’s backs. In the closing seconds of the first quarter, the Indiana Fever star drove hard to the basket before being fouled and crashing to the hardwood.
As Clark pleaded her case with a nearby referee, Reese rushed over to give the 24-year-old a hand and lift her up off the floor.
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On the ensuing inbound, Clark passed the ball into the paint for Reese, who backed down her defender and banked in a layup. Once the buzzer sounded, the guard promptly went to high-five the forward before heading toward the bench
Once the dust had finally settled on the United States’ spotless 5-0 run in the qualifying tournament, Clark and Reese each turned in respective dominant performances. The former led Team USA in points (58) and assists (32), with the latter leading the squad in total rebounds (40).
Taking to social media, droves of American fans commended the pair for their strong showing. “I like when they play together. They make good teammates,” an X user wrote, with another adding: “Both of their games mesh so well with each other.”
Others insisted that their on-court chemistry once and for all disproved rumors suggesting that Clark and Reese dislike one another. “That’s how I know this ‘beef’ was all just made up by fans and media,” one person said.
Someone else argued, “It’s crazy when the fan base hate each other more than the players.” A fifth chimed in: “Yall want them to hate each other…. But we as the sports world love them together let’s go ladies.”
Back in June 2024, Clark theorized why basketball fans are so infatuated by her rivalry with Reese. “I think it’s just the emotion and the passion that we play with,” she told reporters at the time.
“I think people love to see that, and I think that’s maybe not something that was always appreciated in women’s sports, and it should be.
“That’s what makes it fun. We’re competitors. That’s the way the game should be. It’s going to get a little feisty, it’s going to get physical, but at the end of the day both teams are just trying to win.”
Clark propelled Team USA to a 5-0 record at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament -Credit:Getty Images
“I mean, I think what she’s done with her platform has been absolutely incredible, and she has an entire fanbase that has supported her and what she did at Maryland and then LSU,” Clark continued.
“Obviously I’ve played her for a very long time and she’s been a tremendous player, so it’s been fun getting to compete against and I think it’s been really good for the game.
“People love seeing great matchups but also, at the same time, people tune in for these matchups and get to see how amazing these teams are and then they find new players to support and continue to come back for them, too. I think that’s another benefit of it, honestly.”