Despite a strong rookie season, Angel Reese missed out on both All-WNBA teams and WNBA Rookie of the Year, fueling her reaction to Caitlin Clark’s recognition.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Caitlin Clark, not Angel Reese, was named to the All-WNBA first team. Clark joined Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, and Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas.
Although Angel Reese had an impressive rookie season, the Chicago Sky forward didn’t make either the All-WNBA first or second teams. Additionally, she missed out on the WNBA Rookie of the Year title to Clark earlier in October.
Reese, who was the No. 7 pick from LSU in the 2024 WNBA draft, averaged 13.6 points and led the league with 13.1 rebounds per game. Like Clark, Reese set multiple records, including the most rebounds in a single WNBA season (446).
However, a wrist injury caused her to sit out the last six games of the regular season, allowing Wilson to take the rebound record from her. Despite that, Reese still holds the WNBA record for most consecutive double-doubles with 15.
The rivalry between Clark and Reese goes back to their college days. It’s been one of the most followed in women’s basketball history. Things escalated in 2023 when Reese’s LSU Tigers beat Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAAW National Championship.
Fast forward a year, and Clark got her revenge by defeating LSU in the Elite Eight. Later they lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2024 national championship.
Both players have openly denied any rivalry. That did not stop many fans from thinking that the physical play during the 2024 WNBA season between the Fever and Sky suggested otherwise.
Reese often says that critics’ and fans’ opinions don’t bother her. After the news of Clark making the All-WNBA team broke, Reese did something. She reposted a message from SIE on X, indicating that she still doesn’t care about the opinions of others.
However, her loyal fans did express the bewilderment she must be feeling.
“Angel Reese ain’t make 2nd team all WNBA?” one fan tweeted.
Another said, “So you’re telling me, the All WNBA team, that is voted on by coaches in the WNBA, voted Caitlin Clark First Team All WNBA, and Angel Reese didn’t even make any team at all???? lol. I thought the media had it messed up. No. They don’t. Caitlin clears Angel in every aspect of life.”
“How do you have #Clark first team over #arike and #Sabrina? And just totally snubbed #AngelReese when she and only one other person in her position averaged a double-double smfh this is why y’all constantly lose fans caving for no reason @WNBA this a fkn joke,” another fan fumed.
One fan commented, “A’ja definitely deserved All WNBA, but so did Jewell Loyd, Jackie Long, & yes, my girl Angel Reese too😉.”
After being left out of the All-WNBA teams, Reese will likely face more criticism from fans, especially since Clark made the cut. But Reese’s latest repost shows that, once again, she isn’t letting these opinions affect her.
“Wanting validation from ppl who aren’t even valid is insane,” SIE wrote on X, formerly Twitter, before Reese reposted.
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