All records and stats in the WNBA are new, but one thing has carried over from collegiate basketball to the professional league: the rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. It all started during the LSU versus Hawkeyes game, where “Bayou Barbie” was spotted doing the “you can’t see me” gesture towards Clark. Right after the game, Clark’s fans came to her defense. Since then, the rivalry has only grown. But it’s not really between the two rookies.

This Thursday afternoon, Angel Reese debuted the first episode of her new podcast, Unapologetically Angel. Hosting alongside co-host Maya Moore, the Chicago Sky rookie addressed her long-standing rivalry with Caitlin Clark. “Caitlin is an amazing player, and I’ve always thought she was an amazing player… We’ve been playing each other since high school. And like knowing that there has never been beef,” she revealed in Episode 1.

The respect has been mutual among the two who grew up loving basketball. Clark has previously attested to that, assuring that their ‘super competitiveness’ is the similarity between them and that is how it should be. So reiterating their dynamic off-court, Reese pointed out that it is the Iowa star’s fans in actuality that have kept the pot stirring among themselves.

“I think it’s the fans—her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans—they ride for her. And I respect that, [when it’s] respectful. But sometimes it’s very disrespectful” she added. Tracking down the address and death threats, have been some of the few unkind responses, Reese reveals, she has faced from Clark fans. But she knows the Fever rookie doesn’t stand for it.

“I’m pretty sure the only people that view this as a rivalry is all of you,” Clark had corroborated during a press conference previously. But listening to the Chicago Sky rookie list out all the extreme hate she has dealt with, fans demand a serious response from the Iowa star.

“Speak up,” fans stand for Reese

Every time there’s a feud trending between Clark and Reese, Clark has always been vocal about it. “I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all,” she told ESPN reporters when Reese’s gesture stormed the internet. But fans seem to need a deeper action from Fever No. 22 now. “For CC, you need to speak up,” wrote a user, insisting that their legend break the silence.

Even Reese herself has stood up for Clark whenever needed, whether in support or to defend herself from Clark’s fans. “Oh my gosh, I love Caitlin. We’ve been competing since we were in AAU,” she revealed during LSU’s media day last year in October. Clearly, it’s not even between the two rookie stars. So, who’s promoting it? It’s the fans themselves.

But now, it’s going in the right direction: fans versus fans. “CC needs to open her mouth and address the hate that her fans are dishing out before someone gets hurt,” wrote a user. But the fans aren’t the only ones to blame here.

“Media always hypes up whatever they can for attention,” added another spectator, pointing out the loopholes media houses exploit. The media too plays a role in promoting the feud between the two. Swin Cash, Elle Duncan, and the rookies themselves have all been of the same opinion and so are some of the fans.

So, for standing through it all, the spectators commended the 22-year-old; proving it wasn’t all hate out there. “You are a superstar for dealing with all that and still being such a star player!!!! Part of the reason for the WNBA blow up was because of you!!! Put some respect on that!!!” one stood up. “Love you both. Such great athletes,” another cleared.

Angel Reese has been leading the league in rebounds at 13.2, recording the most in a single season. She has also kept up with her double-double run, recording 26 of them in total, surpassing the record by a mile. Off the court, the merch sales and the viewership records, all see the rookie’s name recurring. How much ever the noise, there’s no stopping the Chi-Town Barbie.