When Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese took the court together in the WNBA All-Star Game, it felt like a preview of what a dream pairing could look like. But would fans really want them on the same roster full time?
In a recent poll, conducted by Essentially Sports, WNBA fans voted comprehensively against the idea of seeing Clark and Reese pull on the same jersey.
The results were overwhelming: nearly 70 percent answered “No”- and the reasons go beyond basketball. The pair have shared a bitter rivalry since their NCAA days with the Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers respectively. But off the court, their star profiles are clashing too.
The matchup between Clark, a scoring and passing phenom, and Reese, a dominant interior presence, had fans buzzing all offseason. Yet, despite the spectacle they create, most are wary of merging two alpha talents – fearing some clashes might eclipse teamwork.
Fans make it clear: Clark and Reese cannot co-exist
Their rivalry traces back to college – marked by iconic encounters like the 2023 NCAA championship where Reese taunted Clark with a “you can’t see me” gesture.
It helped build one of the most compelling storylines in recent women’s sports history. Since then, their rivalry has brought unprecedented attention to the WNBA, turning every Fever-Sky game into must-watch television – highlighting both viewership spikes and record-breaking attendance.
But that same visibility has sparked backlash. Sports legend Candace Parker criticized the media’s relentless framing of the Clark-Reese storyline, arguing it detracts from the league’s depth and nuance.
At its worst, coverage of their dynamic has veered into racial territory, with studies showing that Reese – a Black woman – has received harsher scrutiny than Clark for similar conduct. This disparity exposes how narratives can be skewed by bias, disrupting fair celebration of women’s sport.
In the All-Star arena, they’ve already shared a lineup – and even combined for a memorable play. In one highlight, Clark dropped her 10th assist by feeding Reese for a bucket that helped turn the tide.
Fans celebrated it as proof that together, they shine. But outside that isolated moment, polls show a mix of admiration and concern going forward.
A potential partnership in the future
Their partnership may also crop up on the international stage; both have expressed hope of wearing Team USA jerseys together – proof that their shared future isn’t beyond reach. Yet, inside the league, the “bad cop vs. good cop” framing persists.
Reese has even leaned into the villain role at times, accepting it as part of building engagement – even as Clark faces unprecedented fame and market attention.
Clark, meanwhile, has already shattered records – becoming the most impactful rookie in recent memory and transforming the Fever into one of the WNBA’s most valuable franchises. Reese continues to deliver double-doubles and anchor her team’s defense, proving she’s more than just part of a rivalry – she’s a linchpin in her own right.
As the WNBA grows, the question remains: does the league benefit more from a superstar duo-or from preserving their individual star power and competitive feud? Maybe both. A one-time alliance in All-Star or international play might satisfy fans’ appetite for unity, while keeping the rivalry alive as a marketing force.
Both Clark and Reese are walking embodiments of the league’s soaring momentum. Whether together as teammates or fiercest competitors, their presence ensures the WNBA shines.
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