Angel Reese pushes back on WNBA-Caitlin Clark popularity narrative: ‘Because of me too’
Angel Reese wants the credit alongside Caitlin Clark that she believes she deserves for the growing popularity of women’s basketball, and she isn’t going to back down from fighting for it.
The Chicago Sky star made it clear how she feels about it two days after the debate was reignited by teammate Chennedy Carter’s heavily scrutinized cheap shot on Clark during Chicago’s loss to Indiana on Saturday.
“I know I’ll go down in history,” Reese told reporters Monday. “I’ll look back in 20 years and be like: ‘Yeah, the reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person, it’s because of me too, and I want you to realize that.”
Angel Reese believes the physical play that Caitlin Clark has experienced isn’t new to the WNBA
Just more 👀
“The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of 1 person. It’s because of me, too. I want y’all to realize that”
More: https://t.co/3fNUxipTTD pic.twitter.com/1YbGG4mWuL
— GNSportsTV (@GNSportsTV) June 3, 2024
For Reese, sparking fans’ interest goes back to LSU’s national championship game win over Iowa two years ago, where she hit Clark with John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture to cement a rivalry that continued into last season and now the WNBA.
This year, Iowa ended LSU’s season in the Elite Eight and generated record TV ratings.
Angel Reese wants her contributions to the WNBA’s popularity recognized.ESPN
Reese became arguably just as recognizable as Clark and was the focal point of plenty of scrutiny during her senior season, which included a bizarre benching.
“It all started from the national championship game, and I’ve been dealing with this for two years now,” Reese said. “Understanding, yeah, negative things have probably been said about me, but honestly I’ll take that because look at where women’s basketball is.
“People are talking about women’s basketball, who you never would think would be talking about women’s basketball. People are pulling up to games. We got celebrities coming to games, sold-out arenas just because of one single game.”
Fever star Caitlin Clark was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.Michelle Farsi/New York Post
Reese, who seemingly cheered on Carter from the bench after her flagrant foul on Clark made it clear that she’s OK taking on that type of role if it helps bring attention to the game.
The foul has sparked a debate about what the WNBA should be doing to better protect Clark or if the Fever need to find an “enforcer” to help her.
Still, Reese believe she and others are also generating attention, not just the star of Clark — the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and the WNBA’s No. 1 draft pick in 2024.
Pat McAfee got into hot water on ESPN for calling Clark a “white bitch” in a segment Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show” that presented some metrics that the Fever star is at least the lead driver of the attention in the WNBA.
“A lot of us have done so much for this game,” Reese said. “Chennedy has been here before, but there are a lot of great players in this league who have deserved this or a really long time.”
HOT NEWS:
“THAT’S NOT A F*CKIN FOUL” CAITLIN CLARK TO REF & GETS TECH,THEN CRIES😢
“That’s Not A F*ckin Foul” Caitlin Clark To Ref & Gets Tech,Then Cries😢
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Caitlin Clark and her reasonable resemblance to a famous actor goes viral on social media
Fans sparked a lively discussion on X
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin ClarkJohn LocherAP
Afan recently sparked a lively discussion on X by claiming that Caitlin Clark bears a striking resemblance to Christopher Meloni, the star of ‘Law and Order: SVU.‘
Meloni, who played the iconic Detective Stabler for 12 seasons, has long been a fan favorite. The comparison of Clark and Meloni quickly went viral, with many fans weighing in on the uncanny likeness.
Fan support makes Caitlin Clark feel at home despite away win
“Now I can’t unsee this s**t,” a user wrote.
Another added: “Bro got some explaining to do because they look too much alike for this to be coincidental.”
“YOOOWWWW HELP ME FIND THE UNSEE BUTTON,” a third noted.
A rocky season for Clark
On the basketball front, Clark’s season has been a rocky one. The Indiana Fever have struggled, with their latest loss to the Las Vegas Aces marking their sixth defeat in seven games.
Clark’s performance in that game was below her usual standard, as she scored just eight points, along with five rebounds and seven assists.
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Despite the team’s overall struggles, there have been moments of brilliance. The Fever’s only win this season came against the LA Sparks, where Clark displayed her clutch abilities by sinking two crucial 3-pointers in the final minutes.
In that game, she finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, showing why she was the No. 1 overall pick.
HOT NEWS:
VIDEO: DALLAS MAVERICKS FANS COMPLETELY DISRESPECTED TRAVIS KELCE DURING HIS APPEARANCE ON THE JUMBOTRON AT GAME 3
Travis Kelce on the Mavericks jumbotron. (Photo via @_abigaiiiil/Twitter)Tell us how you really feel, Dallas Mavericks fans.
During a thrilling Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Mavs and the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Arena, stadium cameras caught a glimpse of Travis Kelce taking in the action while sitting courtside. The Kansas City Chiefs star was shown on the jumbotron, and let’s just say that his welcome was not a warm one at all.
Mavs fans proceeded to boo Kelce, which is not all that surprising seeing as how he plays for an NFL team from a different city. However, they did end up cheering on Patrick Mahomes during his jumbotron appearance — although, that probably has something to do with the Chiefs QB previously proclaiming his support for the Mavs.
Travis Kelce got boo’d and the crowd went crazy for Patrick Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/ZSX9rLDg7a
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) May 27, 2024
Travis Kelce And Patrick Mahomes Bring Good Luck To The Mavs In Game 3
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes at the Mavs game. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Mavericks did their best to make a good impression in front of Kelce and Mahomes, as they took a stranglehold of their Western Conference Finals by defeating the T-Wolves, 116-107. The win gave Dallas a commanding 3-0 series lead, and they’ll have an opportunity to complete the sweep at home on Tuesday.
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Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving led the way for the Mavs. Both players scored 33 points apiece, while Luka also added seven rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Mavs fans may not like him, but maybe Travis Kelce is a good luck charm. We’ll see if he and Patrick Mahomes are in the building for Game 4.
