WNBA newcomers Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have seamlessly carried their college rivalry into the professional arena.
These two fierce competitors, drafted No. 1 and No. 7 respectively, are not just vying for the Rookie of the Year title but are also set to face each other for the second time as professionals.
Their rivalry, which captured the nation’s attention during the 2023 NCAA championship, has evolved into a compelling narrative in the WNBA.
Let’s delve into their intertwined journeys and revisit their encounters from college to their burgeoning professional careers.
Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese: A Timeline of Their Battles
Clark and Reese have clashed six times, heading into their June 16 game—one WNBA game and five college encounters.
Reese holds a 4-2 advantage in these matchups, but Clark has won the most recent two. Here’s a look at each game, in reverse chronological order.
Fever vs. Sky – June 1, 2024
In their inaugural WNBA face-off, the Indiana Fever, spearheaded by Clark, were underdogs but eked out a 71-70 victory over the Sky. Clark tallied 11 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Reese countered with eight points, 13 rebounds, and one assist.
Iowa vs. LSU – April 1, 2024
Revisiting the scene of their 2023 NCAA showdown, Iowa and LSU met again in the Elite Eight. This time, Iowa emerged victorious, winning 94-87. Clark dazzled with 41 points and 12 assists, hitting nine three-pointers to tie an NCAA tournament record. Reese bowed out of college basketball with 17 points and 20 rebounds.
Iowa vs. LSU – April 2, 2023
In their iconic 2023 NCAA championship clash, LSU triumphed over Iowa, 102-85. Despite Clark’s 30-point effort, LSU’s balanced scoring and Reese’s 15-point, 10-rebound performance led them to their first national title. Reese’s celebratory gestures became legendary.
Iowa vs. Maryland – February 14, 2022
Before transferring to LSU, Reese was a force at Maryland. In their 2021-22 season encounter, Maryland defeated Iowa 81-69, with Reese posting 25 points and 13 rebounds. Clark scored 19 points, adding six rebounds and six assists.
Iowa vs. Maryland – March 13, 2021
During her freshman year, Reese’s Maryland team routed Iowa 104-84 in the Big Ten tournament final. Reese, recovering from a foot injury, contributed six points and six rebounds. Clark notched 21 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Iowa vs. Maryland – February 23, 2021
Their first-ever meeting saw Maryland overpower Iowa 111-93, despite Clark’s 34-point effort. Reese added eight points for Maryland.
Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Impact in 2024
Clark, the top draft pick, has proven her mettle in the WNBA. Despite a few off games, she leads all rookies in scoring and has matched records set by Sabrina Ionescu. She became the fastest player to achieve 200 points and 50 assists within 12 games.
| Games played | PPG | FG% | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 15.6 | 36.7% | 4.9 | 6.0 | 1.4 | 5.5 |
Angel Reese’s WNBA Emergence in 2024
Reese has silenced any doubts about her transition to the WNBA. With six double-doubles in 12 games, she’s among the league’s leaders in rebounds and steals.
| Games played | PPG | FG% | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 12.2 | 37.8% | 10.0 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 |
As Clark and Reese continue to electrify the WNBA, fans eagerly await their upcoming clashes, adding new chapters to their storied rivalry.