In the vibrant world of WNBA rookies, two names have been ringing bells louder than an overzealous referee’s whistle: Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Recently, Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese took the hot seat on Khristina Williams’ podcast, “In Case You Missed It,” and spilled the tea on her rookie experience. Her revelation? She’s practically drowning in a sea of veteran affection, while Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark is, well, feeling a bit like the kid who didn’t get the invite to the party.
“They text me, check on me, congratulate me,” Reese revealed with a humble grin that could melt an ice rink. “Sometimes I even get, ‘I wish I could play with you one day. I wish we drafted you.’ It’s cool to be loved in the league.” Yes, you read that right—WNBA veterans are texting her with admiration, making us wonder if Reese’s phone might need extra storage just for all the love notes.
Reese’s revelation has thrown a curious spotlight on her peer Caitlin Clark, who, in a stark contrast, shared a slightly less Hallmark-movie-esque experience in a June interview. “Nobody gives me advice in-game. I wish,” Clark said, her tone tinged with a mix of irony and longing that could make Shakespeare proud.
It’s not that Clark is completely left out in the cold. She has her share of warm moments with league veterans like Sabrina Ionescu and Kelsey Plum, but apparently, those moments don’t include the rich tapestry of unsolicited advice and heartfelt texts that Reese enjoys. The WNBA’s elder stateswomen seem to be more about “show, don’t tell” when it comes to Clark.
Despite this intriguing dichotomy, both rookies shone brightly at the WNBA All-Star game. Reese flexed her skills with a double-double, racking up 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Clark dished out 10 assists, seemingly channeling her inner Magic Johnson, albeit with fewer points—just four, to be exact. Team WNBA triumphed over Team USA, 117-109, and both rookies left their mark, even if their social experiences differ as wildly as a dunk attempt from half-court.
While they’re not the league’s top players yet, Reese and Clark are unquestionably its most talked-about. Whether it’s Reese’s camaraderie-fueled glow or Clark’s quietly burning intensity, these two are carving out niches as the WNBA’s most compelling characters. And who knows? Maybe one day, they’ll text each other about it.
