The rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has played a significant role in bringing women’s basketball back into the spotlight. Their competitive relationship became particularly heated during the 2023 NCAA championships, where Reese famously echoed John Cena’s “You can’t see me” gesture—an homage Clark had previously executed in a matchup against Reese while they were both in college.
During an interview at ComplexCon, Reese was questioned about how the media has portrayed their rivalry.
“I think it’s just competition, it’s been competition since college,” Reese remarked in her discussion with Complex’s Speedy Norman. “I’ve been playing against Caitlin since probably the eighth or ninth grade. We were both highly competitive in AAU. I went to Maryland, she went to Iowa, so we faced off there. Finally, getting the chance to compete in the national championship has been a culmination of our long-standing rivalry. Many don’t realize the legacy we share through our years of competition.”
Although conversations surrounding the rivalry can sometimes take a negative turn, the Chicago Sky rookie remains focused on the bigger picture—promoting women’s basketball.
“Clearly, social media loves to pit two women against each other,” Reese added. “I recognize that this has both negative and positive aspects. On one hand, it can be detrimental, but on the other, it draws attention to women’s basketball. I’m willing to bear the ire if it means I’m contributing to the growth of women’s basketball.”
Angel Reese Discusses What She Will Keep Private About Her Personal Life
Aside from her rivalry with Clark, basketball enthusiasts are also eager to learn about Reese’s personal life. The 2023 NCAA champion hosts a podcast called “Unapologetically Angel,” where she invites well-known guests, including Mariah The Scientist, Latto, Dwayne Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, and others, to engage with her audience. During these sessions, Reese occasionally finds herself in the spotlight regarding her romantic status, revealing insights into her preferences for a future partner. In a September episode featuring Latto and Mariah The Scientist, she stated her specific desires for her ideal love interest.
“Nah like, he got to be tall. 6’7″-6’8″, be an NBA player,” Reese articulated in the episode.
She further explained her rationale for wanting to date someone in sports.
“You don’t see a lot of relationships where the woman is just as dominant as the man, where the woman can provide for herself without the man,” she noted. “He has to contribute something different because there’s nothing you can offer me that I can’t secure for myself.”
Standing at 6’3″, Reese prefers someone who is taller and recognizes that athletes are more likely to meet her height criteria.
“Probably quality time, and that’s tough too because I tend to date athletes,” she remarked. “I’m 6’3″, where else am I going to find… I mean, maybe I should look for a lawyer who’s 6’3″ instead.”
“I usually find myself dating basketball players, and since the NBA and WNBA seasons differ, I can make it work now. However, when I was in college, that was not feasible—I couldn’t attend college or NBA games as it fell within the same competitive season.”
While Reese currently appears to be single, she recently expressed that she wishes to keep discussions about her romantic life off social media.
Image Source: DFree / Shutterstock
