- Angel Reese made John Cena’s ‘U Can’t See Me’ gesture in front of Caitlin Clark
- Clark and Reese met again in the Elite 8 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament
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Caitlin Clark revealed her initial reaction to former LSU star Angel Reese’s viral celebration during their 2023 championship matchup.
In the Tigers’ 102-85 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes, Reese memorably performed WWE legend John Cena’s ‘You Can’t See Me’ gesture in front of Clark, which the latter previously did in a game against Louisville . Additionally, Reese looked at Clark and pointed at his ring finger at the end of the fourth quarter.
In ESPN’s recently released Full Court Press docuseries, Clark shared his thoughts on the media storm that followed Reese’s celebration.
“That’s the only thing people wanted to talk about when we went on this magical race and brought so many people together, and that was frustrating to me,” Clark shared.
Iowa coach Lisa Bluder also weighed in on the issue, saying, “The media was trying to create a circus out of racial issues, trying to stir up hate, and she (Clark) just didn’t let that happen.” .
After the game, a visibly disappointed Clark expressed her frustration with the outcome.
Caitlin Clark revealed her reaction to the media storm behind Angel Reese’s celebration in 2023
During the 2023 NCAA title game, Reese hit Clark with John Cena’s ‘You can’t see me’ gesture
Reese also pointed his ring finger as LSU secured the victory, sparking a social media brawl.
Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said “the media was trying to create a circus out of racial issues”
“I want my legacy to be the impact I can have on the young kids and the people of the state of Iowa,” Clark said in his postgame news conference.
“I hope I brought you a lot of joy this season. I hope this team brought you a lot of joy and I was just that young girl, so all you have to do is dream and be able to be in moments like this. I’m a competitor. I want to get back to being in the national title game. It’s like you want to finish it the right way.’
The following year, Clark had a historic senior season for the Hawkeyes, breaking the all-time scoring record in NCAA Division 1 basketball. The feat elevated Clark’s stardom and brought much attention to women’s basketball.
Additionally, Clark and Iowa got revenge on Reese and LSU in a 94-87 win in the Elite 8, a game in which the sharpshooter scored 41 points.
Clark and Iowa appeared in another title game in 2024 after beating LSU in the Elite 8.
Clark and Reese were picked first and seventh in the 2024 WNBA Draft in April.
The Hawkeyes appeared in their second straight title game before losing to South Carolina, 75-87.
However, Clark became the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. In the same class, Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the seventh pick.
“Honestly, I had no idea,” Clark added of Reese’s celebration in 2023. “I was just trying to get to the handshake line and be grateful that my team was in that position.”