Their basketball connection goes back years before the WNBA
Long before Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese became two of the WNBA’s biggest names, their competitive story was already taking shape. From early basketball battles to unforgettable college showdowns and eventually sharing the court for Team USA, their paths have crossed in surprising ways.
But how far back does their connection really go, and what happened along the way?
Both entered college as top recruits
Reese and Clark were members of the 2020 recruiting class and entered college as highly regarded prospects. Clark chose Iowa, while Reese began her college career at Maryland, giving them opportunities to meet in Big Ten play.
Their college careers later became closely connected through repeated meetings. Reese transferred from Maryland to LSU after two seasons, while Clark remained at Iowa throughout her college career.
Their AAU competition came first
Before college, Reese and Clark competed against each other in AAU basketball. Reese has recalled that they were highly competitive during those years and said their competition dated back to approximately eighth or ninth grade.
Reese played for Team Takeover, while Clark played for All Iowa Attack. Their teams met during the 2019 Nike EYBL season, adding an early chapter to their basketball history.
Their first college meeting came in 2021
Reese and Clark first faced each other in college on February 23, 2021, when Maryland hosted Iowa. Clark scored 34 points and had seven assists, while Reese played 11 minutes and finished with eight points and three rebounds.
Maryland won 111-93, giving Reese her first college victory over Clark. Both players were freshmen, while Reese had recently returned from a foot injury that had kept her out earlier that season.
Maryland won their first three meetings
Maryland defeated Iowa 104-84 in the 2021 Big Ten championship game. Clark recorded 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Reese finished with six points and six rebounds.
Their third meeting came on February 14, 2022. Maryland won 81-69, with Reese posting 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Clark finished with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Reese later transferred to LSU
After two seasons at Maryland, Reese transferred to LSU. She became a key part of LSU’s 2023 national championship team and was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player during the Tigers’ title run.
Clark remained at Iowa throughout college. Their paths crossed again in 2023, when LSU and Iowa reached the NCAA championship game in Dallas.
The 2023 championship raised the rivalry’s profile
LSU defeated Iowa 102-85 in the 2023 NCAA championship game. Clark scored 30 points and had eight assists, while Reese recorded 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The victory gave LSU its first women’s basketball national championship. The championship setting and performances from both stars brought their longstanding competitive history to an even larger national audience.
Interesting fact: The WNBA is celebrating its 30th season in 2026. The league began play in 1997 after the NBA Board of Governors approved its creation in 1996.
Iowa got the rematch in 2024
Iowa and LSU met again in the 2024 NCAA tournament, this time in the Elite Eight. Iowa won 94-87 behind Clark’s 41 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists, while Reese had 17 points, 20 rebounds and four assists.
The victory sent Iowa to the Final Four and ended Reese’s college career at LSU. It also gave Iowa a measure of revenge after LSU’s championship victory the previous year.
Interesting fact: Diana Taurasi remains the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. She has 10,646 career points, while Tina Charles ranks second with 8,396 entering the 2026 season.
Reese has rejected the idea of personal hatred
Reese has repeatedly described her relationship with Clark as competitive rather than personal. She has said that the two do not hate each other and that their intense exchanges are part of competing at a high level.
Their games have received significant attention, particularly on social media. Reese has acknowledged that attention while emphasizing that their competitive history goes back years.
Their professional careers began together
Clark and Reese entered the WNBA in the same 2024 draft class. Clark was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever, while Reese was selected No. 7 by the Chicago Sky.
Their first WNBA meeting came on June 1, 2024. Indiana won 71-70, with Clark recording 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Reese had eight points and 13 rebounds.
Their rivalry continued in the WNBA
Clark and Reese faced each other four times during the 2024 regular season. Indiana won three of those games, while Chicago won once.
Their professional rivalry continued after Reese moved from Chicago to Atlanta in 2026. The WNBA also highlighted Clark and Reese during its 2026 Rivals Week, giving their long-running matchup another spotlight.
They became Team USA teammates
Clark and Reese also became teammates with USA Basketball. They played for the United States at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, where the Americans finished 5-0.
Clark averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 assists per game, while Reese averaged 8.0 rebounds. Clark led the tournament in assists, while Reese led the U.S. in rebounding.
The internet is also talking about WNBA facing renewed debate over race and player treatment after Sophie Cunningham incident.
Their shared history reaches the world stage
Clark and Reese are on the U.S. roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. Both have made their World Cup debuts alongside established stars including Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier and Chelsea Gray.
The tournament runs from Sept. 4 through Sept. 13. The U.S. completed group play 3-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals, extending Clark and Reese’s shared basketball history from youth and AAU competition through college, the WNBA, and international play.
In other news, WNBA faces criticism over officiating and physical play involving Caitlin Clark.
Keep reading to uncover the story behind one of women’s basketball’s most talked-about matchups. Like and comment if you’ve been following Clark and Reese’s journey!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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