Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’s rivalry began from their highly publicized matchup at the 2023 NCAA National Championship, where the two athletes first faced off. Since then, the media and fans have repeatedly framed them as opponents destined to be compared, despite Reese and Clark emphasizing they are very different players. This ongoing narrative has fueled tensions, especially among their fan bases, as many continue to link their careers and reputations.
Among the fan groups, Reese’s supporters often claim she matches Clark’s level of talent, a view that Clark’s fans reject sharply, frequently responding with ridicule. This divide caught the attention of Claressa Shields, the decorated boxer, who recently spoke out about what she sees as deeper issues behind the animosity directed toward Angel Reese.
Claressa Shields Highlights Racism Behind Criticism of Angel Reese
During an interview on The Pivot, Claressa Shields addressed the hostility Angel Reese receives from some of Caitlin Clark’s fans, attributing much of it to racial bias. Shields pointed specifically to a moment involving Reese’s signature finger gesture during a game, which seemed to escalate the negative backlash.
“Honestly, it is its just full-blown racism, what she deals with. I think the whole finger thing with Caitlin Clark made people jump on this bandwagon of ‘let’s hate Angel Reese for the rest of our lives’. With social media, it gives them the freedom to do that.” — Claressa Shields, Boxer
Shields elaborated that the criticism Angel Reese faces is not dissimilar to the kind experienced by other high-profile Black athletes like Serena Williams, suggesting that the negative responses stem from discomfort with the success and confidence Black women exhibit in sports.
“Claressa Shields summed up the criticism Angel Reese receives in one word, “Racism”. It’s similar to what @serenawilliams experienced at times throughout her career, & Claressa feels it as well. All three women are authentic, & don’t shy away from who they are. They’ve also all…” — Ryan Clark, Sports Analyst
Shields also suggested that the LSU team’s victory over Caitlin Clark on basketball’s biggest stage may have intensified reactions from white American fans, who perceive such wins as a threat and respond with hostility toward Black athletes.
Fan Backlash Challenges The Racism Narrative Surrounding Angel Reese
Despite Shields’ assertions, many basketball fans expressed strong disagreement, arguing that the criticism Angel Reese receives stems from her conduct and performance rather than racial motives. Some believe that Reese’s own actions have contributed to the negative attention she encounters, and they reject the idea that racism is the primary driver of the backlash.
Critics point to instances where Reese appears to deliberately position herself as Caitlin Clark’s rival in ways that invite provocations. They argue that Reese has yet to demonstrate on-court skills that compare to Clark’s, and that her combative behavior fuels much of the tension between the players.
Fans of Caitlin Clark defend her by attributing the friction to Reese’s reactions, citing moments such as Reese’s aggressive response to a hard foul early in the season as indicative of her own issues rather than Clark’s. Social media responses from these fans exemplify this viewpoint.
Lmao or she doesn’t compare to Caitlyn on the court…. Couldn’t be that could it…
“Probably the most absurd thing said in all this is the comparison to Serena Williams. Serena is one of the greatest tennis players of all times, Angel Reece can’t make consistent layups & isn’t in the top 20 best players in the WNBA.” — CrossCulture (@crossculture323)
“Very simple rule in life, if you’re going to act great, talk great, you better be it. Nobody looks at Angel Reese and sees greatness. Let’s keep it real.” — Mario (@AceOfSpades0603)
“I disagree with the racism perception. She has a selfish attitude about her that I personally don’t like. I love Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Serena and Venus, and so many other Black females who are humble. I don’t believe Angel is in the same breath as them.” — Casey Furman (@furman_casey)
“Yeah, because people aren’t allowed to have a fan dislike of an opposing player. It’s racism. It’s always racism. But it keeps people relevant that are now on the sidelines.” — Brscp (@Brscp2)
“Oh my gosh. The race card again. When is this nonsense ever going to end? Just because someone doesn’t like someone else doesn’t mean it’s racially motivated. It might mean they aren’t any good.” — NCHawkeye51 (@NCHawkeye51)
Many fans argue that Reese’s perceived behavior, described by some as childish or provocative, justifies a degree of criticism unrelated to race. They contend that Reese’s lack of clear basketball achievements fuels much of the disparagement.
Candace Parker Addresses Her Ranking of Angel Reese
WNBA veteran and three-time champion Candace Parker has also weighed in on the debate surrounding Angel Reese’s standing in women’s basketball. After Reese’s slow start to her sophomore season, Parker categorized her as a C-tier player in comparison to Caitlin Clark’s A-tier status. However, Parker clarified that her comments were not meant as a permanent dismissal of Reese’s potential.
“Can she get to player A or player S, yes she can. Right now, I don’t know if she’s alongside those players.” — Candace Parker, WNBA Legend
Parker emphasized that she holds no hostility toward Reese and is pleased with her recent improvement. She expressed optimism that Reese could advance to the highest categories if she continues to refine her skills.
“There’s a difference between hate and holding space for real conversations.Candace Parker & Ros talk Candace’s recent Angel Reese comments, criticism in women’s sports, and why objectivity shouldn’t feel like betrayal.” — Good Follow (@GoodFollowShow)
Parker also noted the difference in reception when criticism comes from peers within sports media. She suggested that similar remarks made about Reese by male colleagues would not provoke as intense a response, highlighting the heightened sensitivity surrounding women’s sports commentary.
The Broader Implications of the Angel Reese Racism Controversy in Basketball
The debate triggered by Claressa Shields’ claims regarding Angel Reese racism controversy basketball underscores ongoing tensions in sports culture surrounding race and athlete behavior. These discussions expose how fan loyalty, media narratives, and social media dynamics combine to amplify divisions among supporters and critics alike.
For Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, the rivalry continues to attract intense scrutiny, sometimes overshadowing their individual talents and accomplishments. The controversy sheds light on how racial perceptions influence the public’s reaction to athletes, particularly Black women who display assertiveness and success.
Moving forward, the way media and fans approach their interactions with athletes like Reese and Clark may evolve as awareness of these issues grows. Candace Parker’s call for objective conversation without conflating criticism with hate could encourage a more balanced discourse, supporting both athletic excellence and respectful debate.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s injury?
A. Reese explained in a TikTok video that she injured her hand while falling after a play. She mentioned there is a small bone crack. The doctors informed her that she could choose whether or not to undergo surgery.
Q. Did Angel Reese get a degree?
A. Reese studied interdisciplinary subjects at Louisiana State University. She also focused on communications at the University of Maryland, College Park. She earned her degree from LSU in Interdisciplinary Studies, with minors in Communication Studies, Leadership Development, and Psychology.
Q. What caused Angel Reese’s wrist injury?
A. Reese explained in a TikTok video that she injured her hand when she fell backward during a play. She mentioned that there’s a minor crack in her bone.
Q. What did Angel Reese’s parents do?
A. Basketball is a family tradition for Angel. Both of Angel’s parents played the sport in college. Her mom went on to play professionally in Luxembourg. Angel said, “My mom has always been independent and taught me to be the same,” in a conversation with Just Women’s Sports in January 2023.