Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark: The Rivalry That’s Reviving the WNBA, Says Legend Lisa Leslie

Two young stars. One growing rivalry. And a massive boost to women’s basketball that even legends are applauding.From the intensity of NCAA matchups to becoming headline acts in the WNBA, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have emerged as the league’s brightest stars—and its most compelling rivalry.

It all began in college. Reese, the powerful forward from LSU, and Clark, the sharpshooting guard from Iowa, clashed in an unforgettable 2023 national championship game. Reese’s now-iconic “you can’t see me” taunt toward Clark sparked national debate and marked the start of something bigger than just one game.

Now in the pros, Reese is suiting up for the Chicago Sky, while Clark has taken the spotlight with the Indiana Fever. When they faced off in the 2025 season opener, the game pulled in 2.7 million viewers—the most-watched WNBA game on ESPN platforms in league history.

Their fierce on-court battles, coupled with strong personalities and social media buzz, are doing more than just entertaining fans—they’re changing the game.

Lisa Leslie, WNBA legend and four-time Olympic gold medalist, recently weighed in on their impact.
“When you look at what happened with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark in college, it was like the explosion we needed,” Leslie said on Locked On Women’s Basketball. “We’ve been playing this beautiful style of basketball for years, but these two added an X-factor. Caitlin and Angel took it to another level.”

That “X-factor” is already showing in the numbers. In her rookie year, Clark averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. She earned Rookie of the Year honors and a starting spot in the WNBA All-Star Game.

Reese, meanwhile, posted a dominant 13.6 points and led the league with 13.1 rebounds per game, making an imm