They came into the WNBA as perhaps the two biggest rookie names in league history, and now Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will go from being rivals to teammates.
Clark, of the Indiana Fever, and Reese, of the Chicago Sky, are about to become the lone first-time All-Stars for the 12-player Team WNBA — which is set to face the U.S. women's national team in Phoenix on July 20 in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.
"I don't think I've ever been her teammate before, even at USA Basketball. I know people will be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn't take away from everyone else," Clark said, via ESPN. "This is a huge accomplishment for everybody on Team USA and everyone on Team WNBA. They all deserve the same praise. I don't want it to take away from any of that and be the focal point of All-Star weekend because that's not fair to them."
Clark was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft; Reese was No. 7. Their battles date back two seasons, when they first met in the NCAA national championship game. Reese and her LSU Tigers beat the Hawkeyes that time. But Clark and Iowa defeated Reese and LSU in the previous Final Four. Clark and the Fever are 2-1 vs. Reese and the Sky this year.
"I'm just so happy. I know the work I put in," Reese said. "Coming into this league, so many people doubted me and didn't think my game would translate and I wouldn't be the player that I was in college or better or would be worse and wouldn't be where I am right now.
