Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have spent years on opposite sides of one of women’s basketball’s biggest rivalries. Now, the two stars are sharing the same jersey on the biggest international stage of their careers, giving Team USA a partnership fans have been waiting to see.
The pairing is already making an impact in Berlin. Clark and Reese are part of the U.S. team defending its FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup title, and both played in the Americans’ 94-61 opening victory over China on Sept. 4. Clark finished with 14 points and 11 assists, while Reese grabbed nine rebounds in her World Cup debut.
Their history makes the reunion even more intriguing. From the 2023 NCAA championship rivalry to becoming WNBA stars and now teammates for Team USA, Clark and Reese have taken very different paths to the same court. With the tournament continuing through Sept. 13, their developing chemistry could become one of the defining stories of the World Cup.
A rivalry that shaped college basketball history
The Clark and Reese rivalry began long before either player turned professional. Clark starred at the University of Iowa while Reese played for Maryland and later LSU. Their meetings drew massive television audiences and reshaped national interest in women’s college basketball.
The most famous clash came in the 2023 NCAA championship game. Reese made a taunting gesture toward Clark late in LSU’s commanding victory that night. That single moment turned an already strong rivalry into a lasting storyline across the sport.
The rivalry followed both players directly into their professional careers. Clark joined the Indiana Fever while Reese signed on with the Chicago Sky. Every meeting between their teams quickly became appointment viewing for fans and television networks alike.
Clark and Reese already shared one jersey
Despite their well-known rivalry, Clark and Reese have actually teamed up before. In 2024, both rookies earned selection to the WNBA All-Star Game. They played together on Team WNBA against the United States Olympic roster that summer.
That night produced a memorable result for both rising stars. Clark finished with 10 assists while Reese recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds. Team WNBA won the exhibition, and the pairing quickly became a fan favorite moment.
Reese later said publicly that she hoped to team up with Clark again. She mentioned wanting to reach the Olympics together at some point. That comment now feels like an early hint of what was eventually coming.
Team USA unveils its 2026 World Cup roster
USA Basketball announced its 12-player roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany. The tournament runs from Sept. 4 through Sept. 13, with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese both included on the final squad.
The roster features established veterans, including Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young. Shortly before the tournament, A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum withdrew for health reasons, with Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen taking their places.
Team USA opened the tournament Sept. 4 with a 94-61 victory over China.
Both players earn their first national team selection
The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup marks the first World Cup appearance for both Clark and Reese. Neither player competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but both had already represented the senior U.S. national team at the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico.
Reese entered the World Cup after establishing herself as one of the WNBA’s leading rebounders. At the World Cup opener against China, she grabbed 9 rebounds as Team USA won 94-61.
Clark brings elite passing and long-range shooting ability to the roster. Her talent for creating shots for teammates changes how opposing defenses must play. Coaches expect her to see meaningful minutes running the offense throughout the tournament.
Reese brings toughness and rebounding that very few players in the world can match. She excels at second-chance opportunities and physical interior defense near the basket. Her energy on the boards could prove valuable against bigger international frontcourt lineups.
Together, the 2 players cover very different parts of the basketball court. Clark controls the perimeter while Reese dominates the paint near the rim. Their contrasting skills give Team USA different options on both ends of the court.
The World Cup debut
Team USA entered the 2026 World Cup as the reigning champion after winning gold in 2022. The Americans opened their title defense with a 94-61 victory over China on Sept. 4, extending their World Cup winning streak to 31 games and their combined Olympic and World Cup winning streak to 67 games.
The tournament also marks the World Cup debut of several U.S. players, including Clark and Reese. Both players, however, had already competed for the senior national team at the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament in March.
With the competition already underway, Team USA will continue its title defense in Berlin as it pursues a fifth consecutive World Cup championship.
The roster announcement sparked immediate excitement across nearly every social media platform. Many fans expressed genuine excitement about finally seeing the two stars as full teammates. Commentators noted how the moment effectively closes a chapter on their long-running rivalry.
Team USA features several former Most Valuable Player-caliber players on one single roster. Coaches will need to carefully balance chemistry with each individual player’s strengths.
Their rivalry once symbolized division among fan bases across college and professional basketball. Seeing them chase gold together now offers a very different kind of storyline.
What comes next for basketball’s biggest stars
The World Cup began Sept. 4, with the United States opening against China in Berlin. Team USA won that game 94-61, with Clark recording 14 points and 11 assists and Reese contributing 9 rebounds.
The WNBA season is scheduled to resume after the World Cup, with league play returning Sept. 17. Clark and Reese will then return to their respective WNBA teams, the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream.
Team USA is continuing its title defense in Berlin, while Clark and Reese look to build on their first World Cup experience as teammates.
TL;DR
- Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are teammates on Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
- The longtime rivals already played together in the Americans’ 94-61 opening win over China.
- Clark recorded 14 points and 11 assists, while Reese grabbed 9 rebounds in the opener.
- The tournament runs through Sept. 13 in Berlin, Germany.
- Team USA is defending its title and pursuing a fifth consecutive World Cup championship.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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