Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have taken women’s college basketball to another level. The record 12 million viewers for their Elite Eight matchup a few days ago is a testament to their influence on the sport. However, with more eyes comes more criticism. While their teams have been pitted against each other for the last two years during March Madness, the brilliant games have been marred with controversies both times. And NBA icon Charles Barkley is upset with that.

Talking about how Reese’s infamous “You Can’t See Me” gesture towards Clark received more attention than LSU’s historic first NCAA championship win last year, Barkley said, “I thought right after the game, people spent more time talking about what was going on between them two than the greatness of LSU.” The Lady Tigers beat the Hawkeyes 102-85, which catapulted both of them to superstardom.

Throughout this season, both of them have been in the limelight and the stars shined brightest on Monday as the two teams again met but this time, in the Regional Finals. While Clark and Iowa got their revenge, Reese’s comments after the game put the focus on the unnecessary hate athletes receive. This also upset Barkley as he said, “And then I feel bad now because instead of talking about the greatness of Caitlin Clark…I feel bad for the young lady (Reese).” 

Visibly emotional and teary-eyed, Reese shared after the game, “I’ve been through so much. I’ve seen so much. I’ve been attacked so many times.” Needless to mention, Clark also wasn’t spared from the criticism either. Regardless, the two never let that affect their performance. And this year, both will enter the WNBA draft.

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Speaking on the same topic, Barkley’s special guest for the show, Stephen A. Smith stated how this loss will only elevate their game. Furthermore, he claimed that “being a villain” in the game is as marketable as being a hero.

Stephen A. Smith talks about “being a villain” in sports

“There’s nothing wrong with being a villain at times. As long as it doesn’t cross lines, the audience may cross lines. There’s nothing wrong with it because it helps…I was listening to Candace, the wonderful Candace Parker, talking about this as well, that when you have a villain and you have a hero in some people’s eyes, everyone’s being marketed,” Smith said after Reese’s latest claim.

Reese previously declared that she doesn’t hate Caitlin and it’s just the nature of the competitive game but still got berated for it. Frustrated by the criticism, Reese said she would take the hit and be the villain. Smith further explained how people will not forget Reese just because she and her team lost. He emphasized how the Bayou Barbie managed to win the championship title a year earlier. 

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