Angel Reese, a Chicago Sky rookie, is fed up with all of the outside support Caitlin Clark has received. Reese, like many WNBA coaches and players, is fed up with the media coverage and has aired her displeasure.
In a deleted tweet, she wrote:
“And that’s for winning in a packed [arena], not just because of one player on our charter aircraft. “#SKYTOWN,” Reese wrote following the Sky’s 90-81 victory over the New York Liberty.
On his “Mind the Game” podcast with JJ Redick, LeBron James stated that “Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things will happen for the WNBA.”
During Wednesday night’s “Inside the NBA” broadcast, Charles Barkley claimed players should “thank” Clark for the league’s charter aircraft to road games. He also talked about “all the money and visibility she’s bringing to the WNBA.”
Reese elaborated on her social media statements.
“It’s not a single person. I believe people are unaware of this because the popular narrative is that it just takes one person to change the game,” she told AP. “There are a number of us, including me, Kamilla [Cardoso], Cameron [Brink], and Rickea [Jackson]. There are so many excellent players, and it’s long overdue, to show how our impact has changed the game.
“I love it for us all, and we’re just going to continue to keep going,” she said.
Like many other players and coaches in the league, Reese wants everyone in the league to be recognized, not just Clark.
Clark’s impact on the league has gotten a lot of attention from the media and fans, which is causing him troubles.
Caitlin Clark hasn’t asked for all of this attention; in fact, many of her admirers and media are causing the situation by expecting her to be treated differently because of her identity.
The rivalry between Clark and Reese, which began in college, contributes to the WNBA’s popularity. Their game was one of the most-watched in women’s collegiate basketball history.
However, instead of recognizing both Reese and Clark for the increased interest in the sport, the public appears to just want to talk about Clark, for better or worse.
Clark, unlike her supporters and the media, respects the players that came before her and wants everyone in the league to win and gain exposure, not just her.
However, fans are so fixated on Clark and her collegiate success that they have mostly overlooked the rest of the league, which has turned long-time supporters against her.
Without realizing it, they are also putting unnecessary pressure on her, which may explain her early troubles adjusting to the league.
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