Angel Reese has insisted she is happy to put her fierce rivalry with Caitlin Clark aside on Saturday night when the two rival rookies line up for the WNBA All-Star team.
Reese and Clark have propelled interest in the WNBA to new levels with their college rivalry continuing into their rookie seasons. Clark was the first pick in this year’s draft, and went to the Indiana Fever, while Reese was the seventh pick, and went to the Chicago Sky.
Clark has since been a top target for the Sky – Chennedy Carter pushed her to the ground in a game against the Fever – while Reese herself said Clark has a “special whistle” after she was ejected for a challenge on the No. 1 pick last month.
But now the rivals will become teammates for a day, and Reese is relishing the opportunity.
“That’s what everyone wants to see,” he told ESPN. “I’m looking forward to it. Everyone will be able to wear the ‘Get Along’ shirt together for at least one day.”
Angel Reese to play alongside Caitlin Clark as the two rivals become All-Star teammates
Clark (center) and Reese have helped drive interest in the WNBA to new levels this season.
“I know a lot of people are going to come to see us, to see all of us, but there is a lot of talent in both teams’ squads, so they are in for a good game.”
She continued: ‘We haven’t spoken yet, obviously everyone can cheer us both on for a day, it’s going to be great. I’m excited, this will be the first of many.
‘We’re going to be on All-Star teams together in the future, on Olympic teams together in the future as well (holds up fingers crossed). I’m excited just to be here right now. I’m happy.
Reese also revealed something about Clark’s game that he wishes he could add to his own game.
“Obviously, her passing is huge. I’m excited to be able to play alongside her and see what we can both do,” she said.
Reese also revealed that his mother and brother will not be at Saturday night’s game in Phoenix, Arizona, after flights were grounded around the world as part of a Microsoft outage.
Meanwhile, Clark had nothing but respect for Reese after the two practiced together on Friday.
“It’s very weird to be here as a rookie and then to have two of us is really cool overall,” the Fever star said. “I think it will continue to help the growth of the game.”
After Saturday’s game, the WNBA will be on hiatus until Aug. 15 due to the Olympics, giving Clark and Reese some much-needed rest.
“I’ve been playing basketball for a year straight,” Clark said. “It’s not easy to just show up and shoot from the start.
“It’s not something I’ve done before. It’s not something I’ve had a lot of time to practice.”