Angel Reese reveals truth of her Caitlin Clark rivalry

One of the primary storylines of the 2024 WNBA season was the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry. Of course, Reese and Clark were responsible for bringing many new fans to the league. When they went head-to-head, all eyes were on the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky.

Reese and Clark's rivalry has been public since college. However, Reese recently revealed that the two have played against one another since eighth or ninth grade.

"I think it's just competition," Reese said, via Complex. "It's been competition since college. Being able to play against Caitlin, I've been playing against Caitlin since we were probably in eighth or ninth grade. We both were really competitive during AAU. I went to Maryland, she went to Iowa so we competed there. And then finally being able to compete in the national championship.

"People don't know the legacy of us being able to play against each other for a really long time."

Reese made it clear that she has played against Clark for a long time. The two are both competitive, but that doesn't mean their rivalry is a negative thing. In fact, Reese even believes it is good for women's basketball.

"Obviously social media is going to put two women against each other," Reese continued. "I think it's just been something that is negative, but also positive. I think it shines light on women's basketball. So I'll take that of being the person that gets the hate. But I know that at the end of the day I'm growing women's basketball and helping women's basketball."

Angel Reese asked about Caitlin Clark fans

Reese was later asked if she believes Clark's fans sometimes go too far. The Sky star said that fans in general can go too far at times, and it is not just limited to fans of Clark.

"I don't think it's just her fans, I think it's fans in general," Reese said. "People don't realize, at the end of the day we're human. You guys watch us and knowing that, it's just basketball. I promise you it's just basketball. I don't have any hard feelings towards her, she doesn't have any hard feelings towards me. But it gets crazy sometimes."

Reese and Clark emerged as two of the most popular stars in the WNBA this past season. Reese and LSU defeated Clark and Iowa in the national championship two years ago. Clark, though, was the WNBA No. 1 overall pick and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

The two have gone back and forth over the years, but Reese explained that the rivalry is limited to basketball, saying there are no "hard feelings" between them.