Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have forever been locked in the same narrative ever since that fateful NCAA Finals moment in 2023. Reese’s LSU won after the whole country had been rooting for Clark’s Iowa and the rivalry, at least in fans’ minds, was born. Never mind that these two had been competing against each other for a very long time, since high school to be precise. Now, the Indiana Fever point guard, who recently became the Time Athlete of the Year, is making it clear what is really the relationship between the two.

Previously, Reese has opened up about Clark on her podcast, Unapologetically Angel and revealed how she respects her former college rival. She also expressed a wish to play on the same team as her one day.

And while CC did not reiterate quite the same sentiment, she did say of the media pitting them against each other in a latest exclusive with TIME magazine, “I don’t get that at all. We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another. Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me?”

The rivalry has left some confused, given the two don’t play the same positions and have never had the opportunity to guard each other in a 1v1 chance. Rivalries are important for sports to flourish, no doubt, but many feel they should be equal in terms of positions where stats can at least be compared.

How does one contrast No. 22’s offense with her seemingly endless three-pointers and almost invisible passes with the Chi-Town Barbie‘s ability to get rebounds like nobody’s business?

Nevertheless, when it was clear that the Lady Tigers were going to win against the Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Final, and Reese made that ring finger and ‘You can’t see me’ gesture, their fate was sealed.

Regarding that, the Iowa sensation said, “I didn’t think it was taunting. It really didn’t bother me. It’s just like, ‘Why don’t you talk about them winning? Or the incredible run that we went on that nobody would have thought we would have ever gone on?’ The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up, and then that has continued to be the case ever since.”

It was indeed a brilliant victory for LSU and a hard defeat for Iowa because no one saw it coming. Then they did it again the next year, even if the South Carolina Gamecocks eventually felled them. Nevertheless, some got their revenge when UoI defeated LSU in the Elite Eight, stopping their championship run. And that rivalry between teams of the two players continued in the W. But Clark does not believe Reese is personally involved in inciting fans against her.

Caitlin Clark answers million-dollar question about Angel Reese’s teammate Chennedy Carter’s flagrant foul

Reese’s Chicago Sky teammate, Chennedy Carter bodily pushing Caitlin Clark to the ground was a shocking moment, not because it’s not seen in sports but because it seemed to be happening to the Fever guard all too often.

In fact, 17% of the total flagrant fouls made in the 2024 season were against the reigning ROTY. Moreover, 80% of these were only from the Sky team. While some said that Reese had been cheering her teammate on at the moment, the Fever guard refused to believe it.

“I don’t even know if she really knew what happened. Honestly, I don’t think she was cheering because somebody hit me. I really don’t think that would be the case. I hope not.” It was one move in a series of plays and fouls seemingly made against Clark on purpose. The reason – jealousy at her newfound fame being a rookie when veterans had not received the same treatment from fans? Who knows?

Clark, at any cost, does not believe anyone else has a vendetta against her. “I never thought I was being targeted,” she told TIME. “Obviously, that shouldn’t ever happen within a game. But basketball is physical. Your emotions can get the best of you. My emotions have gotten the best of me many times.”

The Des Moines native is of course known for her trash talking but then, who in the competitive sports arena at the highest level isn’t? The point being, from both the players’ sides in this “fabricated” rivalry as per Rachel DeMita, there is nothing but respect and maybe a smidge of competitive spirit!