Ahead of the FIBA Women’s World Cup, there was speculation about how Team USA players would set aside the differences they might have experienced throughout the WNBA regular season. However, among those players, it seems like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have long since cracked the rivals-to-teammates code, given how the duo has connected this tournament. FIBA themselves have taken notice.
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With just a few seconds left for the first quarter to finish during the quarterfinals between Team USA and Hungary, the Clark-Reese show saw its debut in this game as Reese beat the first-quarter buzzer with a lay-up thanks to an assist from Clark. The duo’s fast-break play was commended by FIBA on social media.
“Caitlin Clark to Angel Reese is becoming a thing this World Cup.” FIBA’s official account wrote on X.
While Clark and Reese once again came off the bench for head coach Kara Lawson’s side, the duo’s on-court chemistry is certainly grabbing attention during the World Cup, as even ESPN’s Alexa Philippou commended them during the game.
“That’s now three baskets from Angel Reese assisted by Caitlin Clark over the last 5 minutes or so… really fun chemistry those two are developing.” Philippou wrote on X.
The attention Clark and Reese face whenever they are together is natural, as the two have been rivals since college, with the highlight coming in when Reese’s LSU beat Clark’s Iowa in the NCAA championship three years ago, and Reese made a “You Can’t See Me” gesture at Clark, popularized by legendary wrestler John Cena.
Since then, Clark and Reese have had a few heated moments in the WNBA whenever they are on the court, but when it’s time to gear up for Team USA, the two’s playstyles complement each other to perfection, as we first saw a glimpse of it back in March during the World Cup qualifiers and now in their first major international tournament.
What’s more impressive is how quickly their chemistry has developed. After all, the WNBA didn’t go on a break until August 31, giving the Team USA players barely any time to work on thier chemistry in practice. While Clark and Reese are rivals on the WNBA court, Clark has praised Reese this week and revealed what she admires about the Atlanta Dream star.
“We’re both fiery, fiery competitors and we want to win and it’s one of the things I really admire about [Reese’s] game,” Clark told the Associated Press. “She’s competitive and she has a tremendous motor, like she has one of the best motors in the league. She works just as hard as anybody on the court. So, it’s been fun to be able to play with her.”
Team USA convincingly beat Hungary 108-56 to book their ticket to the semifinals, and according to Philippou, this was the highest-scoring game and largest margin of victory in this World Cup for USA.
While Napheesa Collier led the charge with 19 points, Clark and Reese provided some important minutes for the side, scoring 10 and 9 points, respectively. The duo also shone in their respective strengths, as Clark’s playmaking proficiency saw her record 9 assists, while Reese’s dominance in the paint accounted for 6 rebounds.
Team USA returns to the hardwood on Saturday, when they will play either Spain or Australia for a chance to qualify for the gold medal game on Sunday.