The rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has officially made its way into the WNBA—and now, their families are part of the conversation. Angel Reese’s mother, Angel Webb Reese, ignited a fresh round of debate on social media following a WNBA preseason game, where her daughter suited up for the Chicago Sky against Brazil’s national team. The game marked Angel’s return to LSU, her college home, and quickly became a flashpoint for comparisons with Caitlin Clark’s recent appearance in Iowa.
After the game, which drew over 6,300 fans to LSU’s arena, Webb took to social media to respond to online chatter about attendance numbers. Fans had pointed out the stark contrast between the turnout at Reese’s game and the one Clark played in days later in Iowa, which brought in nearly 15,000 spectators. Rather than shy away from the conversation, Webb leaned into it—posting a message that appeared to downplay attendance in favor of achievements.
“Aww that certain fan base looking in the stands celebrating ‘attendance’ while others are looking up in the rafters celebrating championship banners,” she wrote, a clear nod to LSU’s 2023 national title win over Iowa, led by her daughter. The message concluded with, “We ain’t the same. Different year same haters. Have a great day.” She also disabled comments on the post, perhaps anticipating the stir it would cause.
The tweet quickly went viral, fueling an already heated rivalry between two of the most high-profile stars to enter the WNBA in recent years. Reese and Clark, whose college matchups were marked by intense competition and massive viewership, continue to captivate fans now that they’re pros. Their personal rivalry has spilled into team dynamics and fan debates, making it clear that their college-era tensions didn’t vanish at graduation.
While the league is celebrating a surge in interest, largely thanks to star power like Reese and Clark, the drama off the court is proving to be just as compelling as the action on it. The season is only beginning, but if this early exchange is any indication, fans can expect more bold moments—and perhaps more family fire—from here on out.
