Are Caitlin Clark And Angel Reese Friends? Setting The Record Straight

Prof. Dawson McLaughlin 16 Aug 2025

The basketball world, it seems, has been buzzing with questions about the relationship between two of its brightest stars, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Since Clark and Reese truly exploded onto the national scene during that electrifying 2023 title game, they are, very often, pitted against one another in sporting debates. It's almost as if fans, you know, have created a story for them, a narrative that might not quite match what's actually happening.

This persistent talk about a rivalry, it just keeps coming up, doesn't it? People are always wondering, are they truly at odds, or is it just something the media and fans have built up? The whole country, it feels like, had been rooting for Clark’s Iowa team during that fateful NCAA finals moment in 2023, and then Reese’s LSU squad won. So, in some respects, that's when the rivalry, at least in many fans’ minds, was born, creating this ongoing conversation.

So, what's the real scoop? What do these two WNBA superstars, who are often seen as rivals ever since their college days, actually say about their connection? We're going to look closely at their own words, trying to get a clearer picture of what their relationship is truly like, and, you know, maybe put some of those rumors to bed, once and for all.

Who Are Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese?
- Personal Details & Player Profiles
The Spark: How the "Rivalry" Began
- The 2023 NCAA Championship Game
- Persistent Narratives
What the Players Themselves Say
- Caitlin Clark's Perspective
- Angel Reese's Take
Beyond the Headlines: Respect and Competition
- A Shared Competitive Spirit
- Mutual Professional Regard
Frequently Asked Questions About Clark and Reese
Conclusion

Who Are Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese?

Before we get into the details of their relationship, it might be helpful to, you know, briefly touch upon who these two athletes are. Both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have truly made a name for themselves in the world of basketball, captivating audiences with their skills and their competitive drive. They've become, in a way, household names, especially after their memorable college careers.

Personal Details & Player Profiles

Here’s a quick look at some key details about these two prominent players, based on what we know from their time in the spotlight and their current status:

Detail	Caitlin Clark	Angel Reese
Role	WNBA Superstar, Guard	WNBA Superstar, Forward
College Team	Iowa Hawkeyes	LSU Tigers
Known For	Scoring, long-range shooting	Rebounding, competitive spirit
Current Status	Professional WNBA Player	Professional WNBA Player

They are, in fact, both professional WNBA players now, which is a pretty big deal. Their journey from college standouts to professional athletes has been, you know, quite a story for many to follow.

The Spark: How the "Rivalry" Began

The whole conversation around Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese being "rivals" really took off because of one particular game, a rather significant one, in fact. It wasn't just any game; it was the championship, and it brought out a lot of strong feelings and, arguably, created a lasting impression in the minds of many fans. This is, you know, where the story truly begins for a lot of people.

The 2023 NCAA Championship Game

The pivotal moment, the one that truly sparked all the talk, was the 2023 NCAA Women’s Championship game. It featured Clark’s Iowa team going up against Reese’s LSU squad. The atmosphere was, you know, absolutely electric, and the stakes were incredibly high. LSU, as we know, ended up winning that game, and it was a moment that captivated the entire country. Many, many people had been rooting for Clark’s Iowa team, and when LSU took home the title, the idea of a rivalry, at least in the fans’ minds, was very much born. It’s a pretty interesting way for a narrative to start, isn't it?

Persistent Narratives

Ever since that fateful NCAA finals moment in 2023, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have, you know, forever been locked in the same narrative. They are, quite frequently, pitted against one another in sporting debates, as if they are direct adversaries in every single aspect of their careers. This idea of a bitter rivalry just seems to stick around, despite what the players themselves might say. It’s almost like, you know, people want to see it that way, perhaps because it makes for a more dramatic story.

What the Players Themselves Say

So, with all this talk swirling around, what do Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese actually have to say about their relationship? It’s pretty important, you know, to hear directly from them, rather than just relying on what others might assume or suggest. Both athletes have, in fact, addressed these rumors and narratives, trying to, you know, set the record straight for everyone watching.

Caitlin Clark's Perspective

Caitlin Clark has, quite candidly, spoken out about her rumored rivalry with Reese, especially when she was named Time’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, a pretty big honor, actually. She said she doesn’t, you know, really get the narrative that she and Angel Reese have this bitter rivalry after that 2023 NCAA women’s championship game. “I don’t get that at all,” she stated, seemingly a bit confused by the whole thing. She describes her relationship with Angel Reese as respectful, but she also made it very clear that they aren't best friends, by any means. She's, you know, pretty open about that distinction, which is fair enough. She further clarified, saying, “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we,” indicating a clear boundary while still implying a professional connection. It's almost like she wants to just play basketball, and, you know, that's that.

Angel Reese's Take

Similarly, Angel Reese has also, you know, tried to put those rumors to bed, just like Clark has. The LSU star, during a game, simply said, "we're not friends," which might sound a bit blunt to some, but it’s a direct statement, isn't it? She also talks about her relationship with the Iowa basketball star, Caitlin Clark, saying they can, you know, absolutely compete against each other and still be cool after the game is over. This shows, in a way, a mutual respect and a competitive edge that, apparently, isn't changing any time soon. It’s like they understand the game is the game, and personal feelings don’t have to get in the way of that, which is, you know, a very mature approach to things.

Beyond the Headlines: Respect and Competition

It’s pretty clear from what both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have said that their relationship isn't, you know, about being best buddies off the court. But it's also not, apparently, about a deep-seated animosity or a bitter rivalry, which is a key distinction. What comes through, quite strongly, is a sense of professional respect and a shared love for the game, even when they're playing against each other. They are, you know, both fierce competitors.

A Shared Competitive Spirit

These two WNBA stars have been, pretty much, plagued by rumors of a rivalry ever since their college teams faced off in 2023. And, you know, over a recent weekend, another encounter reignited the chatter, showing just how persistent this narrative is. Caitlin Clark goes in depth on this complicated Angel Reese relationship, trying to clarify things. It's okay, actually, for them not to be "best friends." They are, after all, athletes who are competing at the highest level, and that naturally involves a strong competitive spirit. It’s almost, you know, part of the job to be competitive, and that can look like a rivalry from the outside.

Mutual Professional Regard

Despite what some might want to believe about a harsh rivalry, the players themselves share a mutual respect. This is, you know, a pretty important point to remember. They both possess a very strong competitive edge, and that's something that isn't changing any time soon. Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have, in fact, set the record straight on their relationship, stating clearly that while they are not friends during the game, they do share a professional regard for one another. It’s like, you know, they understand the demands of their sport and what it takes to be at the top, and that common ground brings a certain level of respect.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clark and Reese

Given all the discussion and speculation, it’s only natural that people have a lot of questions about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Here are some of the most common inquiries, with answers based on what the players themselves have shared, helping to, you know, clear up some of the confusion that's out there.

Do Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have a bitter rivalry?

Caitlin Clark has, you know, pretty directly stated that she doesn’t "get the narrative" that she and Angel Reese have a bitter rivalry, especially after the 2023 NCAA women’s championship game. Angel Reese has also, you know, tried to put those rumors to bed. While they are fierce competitors on the court, their own words suggest that the "bitter rivalry" narrative is more of a fan and media creation than a reality for them personally. It's almost like, you know, people enjoy the drama, but the players are focused on the game.

What has Caitlin Clark said about her relationship with Angel Reese?

Caitlin Clark describes her relationship with Angel Reese as respectful, but she's also, you know, been very clear that they are "not best friends, by any means." She expressed confusion about the persistent rumors, saying, "I don’t get that at all." When she was named Time’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, she spoke out about her rumored rivalry with Reese, emphasizing that while they are often seen as rivals, their personal connection is one of professional respect rather than close friendship. She's, you know, pretty candid about it all.

Are Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese friends outside of basketball?

Based on their own statements, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are not best friends. Clark has explicitly said, "We’re not best friends, by any means." Angel Reese has similarly stated, "we're not friends" during games, though she also added that they can "compete" against each other and "still be cool after." This suggests that while they share a mutual respect and a competitive edge, their relationship is, you know, more professional and based on their shared sport, rather than a close personal friendship away from the court. It's like, you know, they keep things separate, which is, honestly, very common in competitive sports.

Conclusion

So, what have we learned about the question, "Are Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese friends?" It seems, pretty clearly, that while they are not best friends, by any means, they do share a very real mutual respect. The narrative of a bitter rivalry, which has, you know, certainly captured the public’s imagination since that 2023 NCAA final, doesn’t quite align with what the players themselves have said. Both Clark and Reese have, in fact, tried to set the record straight, explaining that while they are fierce competitors on the court, there’s a professional understanding between them. It’s like, you know, they can battle it out during a game and still be perfectly fine afterward, which is, honestly, a pretty healthy way to approach competition.

Their relationship highlights that athletes can, you know, push each other to be their very best without needing to be close companions off the court. They represent a dynamic where a competitive edge and professional regard can coexist, which is, you know, a valuable lesson for anyone watching. It’s a pretty interesting dynamic, isn't it, to see how public perception can sometimes differ from the reality of personal connections.

What do you think about their relationship? Do you, like your friends, see it as a rivalry, or more as a respectful competition? You can learn more about basketball dynamics on our site, and also link to this page here for further insights into player relationships in sports. For more information on sports news and player statements, you might want to check out a reputable sports news site, like this one: Sports News Central.

Caitlin Clark Vs. Angel Reese Beef Hi - The Global Chronicle

Shot at Caitlin Clark? Angel Reese deletes post about WNBA charter

Caitlin Clark Delivers The Cold Hard Truth On Angel Reese's Taunt

Award Show Highlights