Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, once prominent rivals in women's basketball, are now demonstrating a potent on-court chemistry as teammates for the United States in the 2026 FIBA World Cup.
Following Team USA's decisive 108-56 victory over Hungary, which secured their spot in the FIBA World Cup semifinals, Reese spoke about her developing relationship with Clark. "We've played against each other so many times so I'm sure we know each other's game like the back of each other's hand," Reese told TNT Sports. "So, just easily dish it off to her, she dishes it off to me. She knows my spots… So it's fun. We just continue to build chemistry because we know we're going to be USA teammates for a while."
Their on-court connection was a notable aspect of the game. Clark, coming off the bench, recorded a game-high nine assists, several of which directly led to baskets for Reese. In one sequence during the second quarter, Clark assisted Reese three times within a five-minute span, contributing to Team USA's growing lead. Reese later reciprocated with an assist to Clark following a steal in the second half. The pair also shared moments of camaraderie on the bench, exchanging laughs during breaks in play.
Individually, Clark contributed 10 points, while Reese added nine points, six rebounds, and three assists. Napheesa Collier also played a significant role in the victory, scoring 19 points on 69% shooting from the field.
The basketball journeys of Reese and Clark have been intertwined for years, dating back to their high school and college careers. In college, Clark led Iowa to consecutive NCAA Finals, while Reese's LSU team defeated Iowa in the 2023 championship game, a contest marked by a viral moment where Reese gestured towards Clark. Both players then transitioned to the WNBA in 2024, with Clark being the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever and Reese selected No. 7 by the Chicago Sky. Clark ultimately earned the 2024 Rookie of the Year award over Reese.
Despite a narrative often painted by fans as a fierce rivalry, neither player has publicly stated any personal animosity. Reese previously commented at ComplexCon in 2024, "I don't have any hard feelings toward her and she doesn't have any hard feelings towards me. It's just basketball and it gets crazy sometimes." She also noted their long history of competition, dating back to middle school. "I've been playing against Caitlin since we were probably in eighth or ninth grade. We were both really competitive. I went to Maryland [before transferring to LSU], she went to Iowa and we competed there, so people don't know the legacy of us being able to play against each other for a really long time."
Team USA is set to compete in the semifinals on Saturday, September 12, against either Australia or Spain, with a place in the championship game on the line.