Basketball fans are always excited to witness a fiery and feisty on-court face-off between two gifted athletes. However, it is also a treat to watch when the rivalry turns into comradery. Something similar is happening in the competitive world involving two court rivals – Iowa’s charismatic No.22 Caitlin Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese.

After displaying a tremendous example of sportsmanship by congratulating Clark on her monumental feat, Reese once again showed that her friction with her fellow Sporting News Athlete Of The Year is only limited to the hardwood.

Angel Reese moderates a controversy

Former Texas Tech player and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes raised a lot of eyebrows following her critical analysis of Caitlin Clark’s accomplishment. On the “Gil’s Arena” podcast, Swoopes said, “If Kelsey Plum set that record in four years, well, Caitlin should’ve broken that record in four years.

But because there’s a COVID year, and then there’s another year, you know what I mean? So she’s already had an extra year to break that record. So, is it truly a broken record? I don’t know. I don’t think so. But yeah, that’ll go in the record books. And, I don’t think it should be.” 

Clark was only in her fourth season and Swoopes didn’t realize it until later. Following this, she was at the receiving end of some nasty backlash from Clark’s fans. Consequently, she had to reach out to the All-American forward Angel Reese in order to connect with Caitlin. Sheryl revealed this with the broadcasting team during the Baylor-Texas Tech game.

She said, “Honestly a couple of weeks ago I reached out to Angel and had a really good conversation with Angel over the phone and sent a message to Caitlin.” 

Soon after, the four-time WNBA champion communicated with Clark and cleared the air. Sheryl further added, “And she responded. She and I went back and forth. I won’t share what she said, I’ll leave that to her if she wants to share.

But I will say what I said to her was I made a mistake in saying it was your fifth year when it is your fourth. Have nothing but respect for what she has done for the game.

And, you know, if she wants to share what her response was and how that conversation went I’ll leave that to her. But it was a really good conversation.” 

Angel Reese leaves no stone unturned when it comes to showing class and morality outside the court.

Despite her controversial exchange with Clark in the championship game last season, she is making it clear that she holds no personal grudge against the reigning national player of the year.

Further, Reese’s efforts in establishing normalcy between Caitlin and Swoops are also commendable.

What are your thoughts on Angel Reese’s current gesture on Caitlin Clark?