Reese and Clark say they are having fun playing together for U.S.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are setting aside the rivalry that followed them from college basketball to play together for the United States at the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Both players say media narratives and polarized fan bases exaggerate tensions between them, emphasizing that they respect each other’s competitiveness. Clark said she enjoys Reese’s intensity and that the two can focus on competing rather than outside speculation. Reese said she and Clark, along with other young teammates such as Paige Bueckers and Aliyah Boston, have been able to rely on one another while adjusting to their first major national-team event. Their relationship remains closely watched because of LSU’s 2023 NCAA championship victory over Clark’s Iowa team, but both players describe their experience as positive and fun.