Move over, Hollywood – the WNBA might be producing the next great drama series, complete with rivalries, fan meltdowns, and a Rookie of the Year race that had Twitter in flames. But according to Angel Reese, star forward for the Chicago Sky, it’s all a bit… overblown.
After a rookie season that saw her averaging a jaw-dropping double-double (13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds), Reese found herself caught in a narrative whirlwind, courtesy of fans and social media warriors. At the heart of the supposed “feud”? Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who snagged the Rookie of the Year award and has been painted as Reese’s basketball nemesis.
Yet, Reese seems almost amused by the drama. “Y’all are really doing the most,” she hinted during an appearance at ComplexCon in Las Vegas, a setting ironically calm compared to the chaos fans drum up online.
When asked about the so-called rivalry, Reese made it clear there’s no bad blood between her and Clark. “It’s just basketball,” she told interviewer Speedy Morman, sounding like a teacher reminding her class to chill after recess. “People think we’re out here throwing chairs at each other or something. We’ve been playing against each other since AAU – this isn’t new.”
Fan-Fueled Fireworks
If basketball fans are anything, they’re passionate. But sometimes, that passion turns into a reality show script. “It’s not just her fans. It’s fans in general,” Reese explained, rolling her metaphorical eyes. “They see two players competing and think, ‘Oh, they must hate each other.’ No, we don’t. It’s just basketball.”
Even with four high-stakes matchups between the Sky and Fever during the season (Clark’s team took three of them, cue the internet noise), Reese insists that the competition is purely professional. But try telling that to the Twitterverse, where every stat, stare, and snarky GIF becomes a subplot.
Reese might be leading the league in rebounds, but she’s also clearly winning in self-awareness. “At the end of the day, we’re human. People need to remember that. Y’all watch us for entertainment – we get it – but, like, don’t make it weird.”
A Rookie Season to Remember
Drama aside, Reese’s first season in the WNBA was a smash hit. Dominating the boards, she was the only rookie to average a double-double, a feat that should’ve shut down any debates about her talent. (It didn’t, but that’s what makes sports fun, right?)
Her battles with Clark were the stuff highlight reels are made of, drawing on a rivalry that began long before the WNBA. Back in their college days, Reese’s LSU squad famously defeated Clark’s Iowa team in the NCAA championship, a game that added rocket fuel to the ongoing narrative.
Clark ultimately walked away with the Rookie of the Year trophy, but Reese walked away with her trademark swagger intact. “Yeah, it gets crazy sometimes,” she admitted. Crazy? Yes. Fun to watch? Absolutely.
What’s Next?
As Reese preps for her sophomore season, the real question is how the league (and its fans) will continue to stoke this rivalry-turned-friendship. If Reese and Clark cross paths again in the playoffs, expect ticket prices to soar and memes to flood your timelines. But if you’re hoping for courtside drama, Reese has a simple message: Don’t hold your breath.
“It’s basketball,” she said with a laugh, punctuating the conversation with the effortless confidence of someone who knows she’s not just playing the game – she’s redefining it.
