The WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix this weekend brings an unexpected twist: fierce rivals Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will be teammates. These two rookies, who faced off in the 2023 NCAA championship and have clashed three times in the WNBA, will now join forces for Team WNBA against the U.S. national team.
Reese, aware of the buzz surrounding their temporary alliance, stated,
“That’s what everybody wants to see.” She added with a touch of humor, “Everybody can wear their ‘Get Along’ shirts together for one day, at least.”
Clark, who led all players in All-Star voting, sees this as an opportunity for growth.
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “It’ll be really great to share the All-Star experience with Reese as rookies.”
Their popularity was evident in the voting numbers. Each received over 380,000 votes, a significant increase from previous years. This surge in interest hasn’t gone unnoticed by the players.
Despite the spotlight, both are prioritizing rest. They’ve declined invitations to Friday’s skills competitions. Clark explained,
“I’ve been playing basketball for a year straight. It’s not an easy thing to just show up to and shoot off of a rack.”
Reese echoed this sentiment, saying she wants to “enjoy” her first WNBA All-Star Game and “just watch” – at least for this year.
The demanding nature of their schedules is clear. Clark, while admitting she’ll feel uneasy not practicing, recognizes the need for a break.
“I probably will feel a little bit uncomfortable, like not touching the basketball for a week or so,” she confessed. “But I know that’s going to be the healthiest thing for myself.”
Clark also put her fatigue into perspective:
“Sure, I’m tired, but at the same time, there’s so many people that would kill to be in my shoes… I’m a professional basketball player, my life is pretty, pretty good.”
As they prepare to share the court during the WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, both Clark and Reese are embracing this unique moment. Clark summed it up, saying:
“It goes so fast and you don’t want to miss any of the moments. It’s crazy. It feels like yesterday I was just in college and now I’m at my first All-Star Game.”
