The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has fueled conversations around the WNBA for over a year.
While their competitive history dates back to their college days, Clark at Iowa and Reese at LSU, their transition to the professional league has only intensified debates, particularly on social media.
Shakira Austin: Clark-Reese controversy is fueling negativity
Much of the discourse has centered on race, with critics pointing out disparities in media attention and fan perception.
Clark, who is white, has been a mainstream sensation, while Reese, who is Black, has faced a different reception despite similar success.
Now, Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin is speaking out on how this ongoing battle has affected not only Clark and Reese but the entire WNBA.
“We’re always going to feel like we have to deal with ignorant people,” Austin told Us Weekly.
“Unfortunately, as women, we’re just on the back end of that stick. We just keep fighting and trying to find our real communities, trying to find people who support us. In a sense, just ignoring those trolls.”
The Mystics star, who was the third overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, acknowledged that negativity around the league has only intensified in the past year.
“It’s gotten worse for sure. You know, the whole Caitlin and Angel thing. It’s getting pretty bad,” she admitted.
Despite the WNBA’s reputation for inclusivity, Austin believes social media has created a toxic environment, not just for Clark and Reese but for all players.
Even families have felt the weight of online criticism. “It’s getting tiring seeing the same annoying comments,” she shared.
“I get calls from my dad all the time. He’s like, ‘Oh my God, I want to say something to this little troll so bad.’ I’m like, ‘Dad, no. Just ignore them.'”
Austin remains hopeful that as the league grows, the conversation will shift toward basketball rather than off-court drama.
“Honestly, with the growth of the game, we’re unfortunately dealing with even more of a fight with accepting us and understanding us,” she said.
As Austin prepares for the 2025 season, she is focused on returning to full health after injuries disrupted her past two campaigns.
With the support of the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Athlete Recovery and Care Commitment Grant, she is optimistic about her future with the Mystics.
For now, Austin is determined to block out the noise and focus on what she does best, playing the game.
The Mystics will tip off their season on May 16 against the Atlanta Dream, with Austin looking to make a strong statement on the court.
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