It was supposed to be a pair of feel-good homecomings for two of college basketball’s biggest names. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, now WNBA stars, each returned to their old stomping grounds this past weekend for preseason games against Brazil’s national team.
But while Clark’s return to Iowa drew a sold-out crowd and wall-to-wall media coverage, Reese’s trip back to LSU flew much more under the radar. The contrast didn’t go unnoticed-and Angel Reese’s mom had something to say about it.
The rivalry off the court is getting louder
Ahead of Clark’s game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which sold out almost instantly, Reese’s mom, Angel Webb Reese, fired off a post on X that reignited the rivalry talk.
“Aww that certain fan base looking in the stands celebrating ‘attendance’ while others are looking up in the rafters celebrating championship banners,” she wrote. “We ain’t the same. Different year same haters. Have a great day.”
The message was blunt-and while it wasn’t aimed directly at Clark, the implication was clear: hype doesn’t always equal hardware.
Reese and Clark have both tried to downplay any personal beef, especially since their fiery clash in the 2023 national championship game where LSU beat Iowa 102-85. But their names have stayed linked, and the online discourse has only intensified as they move into the pro ranks.
Clark, now with the Indiana Fever, put on a show in her Iowa return-scoring 16 points in a 108-44 win and getting praise not just from fans but Brazil’s coach, who told her, “You’ve changed the history in basketball.”
“I appreciate it,”Clark responded. “Thanks for coming here and playing us.”
Reese’s game with the Chicago Sky, held at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, was a quieter affair-less fanfare, more substance. She notched 15 points and 10 rebounds in an 89-62 win.
“I’m just happy to be back,”Reese said. “Seeing everyone, even the security guards-it reminded me of how much we built here.”
Even with fewer headlines, Reese’s legacy at LSU is cemented. Her 2023 title run helped turn the Tigers into a powerhouse and made her a national icon. Her mother’s message served as a reminder: some accolades hang from the rafters, not the box office.
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