Angel Reese Opens Up About Maltreatment From Some Caitlin Clark Fans

The Sky forward discussed her experiences on the first episode of her podcast.
Apr 15, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark pose for photos before the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Apr 15, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark pose for photos before the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Over the past two years, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark have developed one of the defining individual sports rivalries of the 2020s.

As is the case with any sports rivalry that penetrates the wider cultural conversation, however, Reese and Clark's amicable feud has grown to encompass more than just sports—for better or for worse. On Thursday's premiere of Unapologetically Angel—her new podcast—Reese discussed how some of Clark's fans had resorted to racism toward her.

"I think it's really just the fans," Reese said. "Sometimes it's very disrespectful. I think there's a lot of racism when it comes to it, and I don't think (Clark) stands with any of that."

Clark, for her part, denounced racism perpetuated in her name in June.

Reese went on to say she had received death threats from fans of Clark.

"People have come down to my address, followed me home," Reese said. "It's really hard that I have to go through that."

Reese and Clark are considered the two frontrunners for the WNBA's Rookie of the Year award; their rivalry appears set to make headlines for years to come. Time will tell whether those headlines are made for the right reasons.


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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .