Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are set to team up at the WNBA All-Star Game – and the Indiana Fever rookie has backed her rival to dominate in one key category. Reese, a fellow first-year player on the Chicago Sky, is leading the league in rebounds per game and Clark expects that trend to continue when the WNBA All-Stars take on Team USA this weekend. ‘It’s gonna be really fun, she’s probably gonna lead the game in rebounds,’ Clark said on the WNBA orange carpet on Thursday. ‘I expect that out of her. That’s just what she does.’
Reese is hauling down 12 boards a game to go along with 13.5 points, and set a league record with a streak of 15 consecutive double-doubles. Clark, meanwhile, has already set the single-season assist record for the Fever, and has transitioned rather seamlessly to the W to the tune of 17.1 points and 8.2 assists per game.
“She’s probably going to lead the game in rebounds” 🤣Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark shares her thoughts on teaming up with Angel Reese for the first time in her career at the 2024 @ATT WNBA All-Star Game. 🌟WNBA Orange Carpet presented by @Bumble pic.twitter.com/6rRE805PsR— WNBA (@WNBA) July 19, 2024
Clark and Reese, who battled in college on Iowa and LSU respectively, have become the first pair of WNBA rookies to become All-Stars since 2015. ‘I think it’s cool, it’s obviously rare to have two rookies in the All-Star Game… obviously the fans are super excited about it,’ Clark said. ‘I think it’s just really good for the W, and obviously she’s having an incredible year.
She’s also repeatedly reminded reporters that there are more than one notable rookies playing in the WNBA this season, and claimed that Clark benefits from a ‘special whistle’ from officials. Nonetheless, it seems as though Reese will enjoy playing with Clark this weekend – at least based on recently resurfaced comments from last year. ‘Oh my gosh, I love Caitlin,’ Reese told reporters in fall of 2023, as she was beginning her final season at LSU.
‘We’ve been competing since we were in AAU. AAU days, we always competed. I remember she was at All Iowa Attack, and we would play each other in AAU. It was always fun and always competitive. ‘One day, hopefully, me and her can be teammates because she is a great player and a great shooter and a great person and a great teammate,’ Reese added.
The two players are also considered the frontrunners for the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year Award, with Shaquille O’Neal recently giving his thoughts on his ‘definite’ favorite. On Saturday, though, they’ll enjoy a rare moment on the same side.
