Angel Reese didn’t just drop 23 points and 14 rebounds against Phantom on Monday — she sparked a debate about intensity after a fiery exchange with her coach days earlier. After stumbling to a rough 1-4 start in the Unrivaled season, Rose BC looked like a long shot for the playoffs. But Reese and her squad flipped the script, stringing together five straight wins to climb to second place in the standings. Now, only Lunar Owls sit ahead with a dominant 9-1 record after 10 weeks of action. The Chicago Sky star’s relentless drive has become the talk of the Unrivaled League, but it’s her off-court impact that’s turning heads. 

Lexie Hull, a key player for Rose BC, didn’t hold back when asked about Reese’s impact. “Her competitiveness is just so evident… you hear her and you feel her. As a teammate, it’s awesome. It’s great to have on your side,” Hull told Owen Pence. It’s no surprise Hull has taken notice—Reese’s presence on the court is impossible to ignore.

Hull’s words carry extra weight considering her history. Last season, she played alongside Caitlin Clark for the Indiana Fever before making the move to Rose BC in the Unrivaled league. Now, she’s forging a strong bond with Reese, one that’s becoming clear both in games and off the court. A recent viral clip showed Hull and Reese celebrating a clutch three-pointer with a chest bump, and Reese even handpicked Hull’s walkout song (Boosie tracks chosen by Reese) during a 1-on-1 matchup. That chemistry has played a major role in Rose’s five-game winning streak.

It’s not just Hull who sees it. Nola Henry, another prominent Washington Mystic’s assistant coach in women’s basketball, had nearly the same reaction. “She’s just a dog. She just works, she’s relentless. The mentality she backs up by her effort. She refuses to be denied…if there’s any weakness, she’s going to hone in on that…she comes in early, she stays late. She’s just so passionate and it rubs off on everyone else.” That drive was on full display in the latest Unrivaled matchup, where Reese took on a star-studded Phantom squad featuring Brittney Griner and Sabrina Ionescu—and still managed to dominate.

Speaking of Ionescu, her presence in this game added another layer to Reese’s performance. Ionescu, known for her sharpshooting and court vision, put up 15 points but struggled to shift the momentum in Phantom’s favor.  So Reese’s performance outshined Sabrina Ionescu’s effort, while Chelsea Gray’s 26-point eruption sealed the 71-59 rout. Reese’s fingerprints were everywhere: five assists, relentless boards, and a viral chest-bump celebration with Hull after a critical three.

When Caitlin Clark and Hull left Indiana, critics questioned their next chapters. Now, Hull’s recent “No rain, no flowers” Instagram post, cheered by Clark and Reese, hints at reinvention. Meanwhile, CC’s connection with other players has been growing. But when it comes to “Bayou Barbie” there’s no deep bond with Reese—just competition. Their matchups are intense, fueled by their college rivalry and the different paths they’ve taken to the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark vs. Diana Taurasi: A Battle of Generations in the WNBA

Caitlin Clark is lighting up the WNBA at just 23, solidifying her status as the league’s next face. But even as her star rises, the Indiana Fever guard stays grounded, paying homage to legends who shaped the game. When asked about her favorite Nike athlete matchup, Clark didn’t hesitate: Diana Taurasi, the Phoenix Mercury’s all-time great. The choice speaks volumes about Clark’s reverence for the past—even as she dominates the present.

Clark’s admiration for Taurasi isn’t just lip service. She’s long studied the Mercury star’s relentless competitiveness and 20-year legacy. “She’s an icon,” Clark said, reflecting on their head-to-head battles. That respect didn’t soften her edge, though. In 2024, Clark and the Fever swept all three matchups against Taurasi’s Mercury. During their first clash, Clark flirted with a triple-double. By their final meeting, she dropped 29 points and 10 assists—a masterclass in poise.

Taurasi, however, hadn’t always been sold on Clark’s transition to the pros. Before the season, the veteran warned that college success wouldn’t guarantee WNBA dominance. “Reality is coming,” Taurasi quipped, questioning how Clark’s game would fare against seasoned pros. Clark responded the only way she knows: on the court. Her electric performances silenced doubts, proving she belongs among the league’s elite.