The countdown begins! Just a few days more and the world will go upside down in Phoenix. The already sold-out, thrilling event of the All-Star Weekend will feature many superstars of the WNBA. But something quite special is also in the cards. For the first time in their entire basketball careers, two arch-nemesis will join hands to try and take down the Olympic Team. Of course, these are Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who will be part of the 2024 All-Star game.

Without much ado, let us jump right into the whys, whos, and whats of this unimaginable pair that will take the floor for the Team WNBA.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as teammates?

Just after a month of the 2024 WNBA season, everyone was expecting this combination to come to life. Angel Reese thrilled everyone with her skills in the paint. At the same time, Caitlin Clark mesmerized everyone with her long threes and ‘how-did-she-see-that?’ passes. Surprisingly, these two hoopers have been each other’s opponents since their high school time but have never even once been teammates.

So, when the All-Star voting, where the golden rookie led from the very beginning and Reese came in the fifth spot, brought the duo to reality, the WNBA fans could not help but show their enthusiasm to see this team up. Especially when Team WNBA will go against Team USA that’s going to the Paris Olympics.

Angel Reese will take on her idol A’ja Wilson under the basket and Caitlin Clark will get to guard her inspiration, Sabrina Ionescu. Of course, among the many other stars. With this selection, they also became the only rookie pair to get selected as All-Stars in the same season since 2014.

When the final votes came, Caitlin Clark led the league with a whopping 700,735 fan votes. Overall, the No. 22 came at the second spot according to the WNBA with A’ja Wilson on the throne. Reese came in the fifth spot with 381,518 fan votes. While these rookies have enticed everyone with their game, they have also heavily affected the all-around systems of the league. Compared to the previous season, the WNBA All-Star voting saw a 597% increase in the votes. Let us see how these two players have proven their potential in the professional league.

How are the rookies changing the WNBA’s history?

Coming off of grand college basketball careers, the basketball world had a lot of expectations from both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Without a doubt, they have delivered just fine. Just recently, Caitlin Clark became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double. In her recent loss to the Washington Mystics, she also became the only NBA or WNBA player since 1973-74 to record 29 points with 5 three-pointers made, 13 assists to match her career-high, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 blocks.

Moreover, the dominant guard’s magic is finally here to stay. In the last five Fever games, she has contributed at least 50% of the total score for the team. Consequently, she is leading the league for the most points created. Additionally, Caitlin Clark is leading the WNBA in total assists. She is third in the most three-pointers made and 13th in blocks. For the rookies specifically, she is leading in all these categories except blocks. Currently, the Des Moines native averages 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists.

As for Angel Reese, she is continuing her double-double streak. With yesterday’s win, she rounded it up to 14 such games. The Chi-Town Barbie is leading the WNBA in rebounds, leaving the reigning WNBA Finals MVP behind. She is averaging 14 points and 11.9 rebounds per game so far. Recently, she swept away the Player of the Week honor for the seventh week. With her impeccable performances, she is the only rookie this season so far to take the honor home. Clearly, the Rookie of the Year race is only as steamy as this All-Star game is going to be.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have a few words for each other

On the day that the news of the first overall pick breaking voting records and becoming the first-ranking All-Star came out, the stalwart guard opened up on Angel Reese becoming her teammate. The 6-ft hooper happily exclaimed, “I don’t think I’ve ever been her teammate before, even at USA Basketball. I know people will be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn’t take away from everyone else.” Certainly, she knows the power that these two talented ladies hold, both separately and together.

Angel Reese’s reaction to Caitlin Clark becoming her teammate was also quite cheerful. Yesterday, she shared her thoughts on the same when talking on NBA Today, “We’re gonna be playing together for a while, so this is not gonna be the first time. I know we’ll be All-Stars again. Hopefully 2028, we’ll be Olympians together, too.” The Bayou Barbie is also quite hopeful and her relentless grind on the floor just might prove her words correct.

As for the All-Star game, many veterans will join forces with these rookies. For Caitlin Clark, her two Indiana teammates, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, will be on the team. Moreover, the 9x All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, 6x All-Star DeWanna Bonner, and 5x All-Star Jonquel Jones will also be a part. So, with the excitement rising for the next weekend, let us grab our popcorn and be prepared for one of the best events of the WNBA.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.