Caitlin Clark says she doesn't understand why people think she has a rivalry with the Chicago Sky's Angel Reese as the 22-year-old points out that they've never had to defend each other, despite infamous moments on the court.
The Indiana Fever ace pipped the former LSU Tigers star to WNBA Rookie of the Year, which is part of why she was named Time's Athlete of the Year, but away from the award, it was also viewed as a symbolic moment in their rivalry.
However, Clark doesn't believe it actually exists despite it apparently continuing into the professional league based on Reese's reactions during clashes between the Fever and Sky through 2024.
"I don't get that at all," Clark said of the supposed rivalry with Time. "We're not best friends, by any means.
"But we're very respectful of one another. Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me?"
One of the highlights of this rivalry came when they were both competing in the NCAA when Clark was with the Iowa Hawkeyes, as the pair managed to make it to the national championship game.
The Tigers went on to win 102-85 and when the game was done and it was deep into "garbage time", Reese decided to take the chance to gloat about her inevitable ring by pointing to her middle finger in the face of Clark.
But even now the 22-year-old doesn't think it was a big deal and accused the media and fans of focusing on the wrong thing as they turned their attention to the supposed rivalry instead of the Tigers' triumph.
"I didn't think it was taunting," Clark said of the gesture by the Tigers' Reese. "It really didn't bother me.
"It's just like, 'Why don't you talk about them winning? Or the incredible run that we went on that nobody would have thought we would have ever gone on?'
"The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up, and then that has continued to be the case ever since."
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has quickly become one of the most influential figures in women's sports.
Recently named Time's Athlete of the Year, Clark's meteoric rise in the WNBA has brought unprecedented attention to the sport.
As the first WNBA player to receive this honor, Clark's accomplishments on the court and her advocacy for change off the court are inspiring a new generation of athletes and fans alike.
Reflecting on her own success, Clark revealed to TIME that she feels she is "just scratching the surface" of what she can do.
Clark shared how many people outside of the sports world, including those in the workforce, have reached out to express their gratitude for her efforts in championing women’s athletics.
"I’ve heard that a million times," Clark said.
Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Despite her personal accomplishments, Clark remains humble, acknowledging that her journey has been shaped by privilege.
As a white woman, she recognizes that many Black players have played a pivotal role in building the women’s basketball league to where it is today.
“A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing,” Clark said.
As she continues to excel on the court, Clark remains committed to fostering change, not only through her playing skills but also through her advocacy for those who have been historically overlooked.
Few athletes have had a better 2024 than Caitlin Clark, which is why TIME Magazine has named her Athlete of the Year, joining legends like LeBron James, Simone Biles, and Lionel Messi. At just 22 years old, Clark is the youngest person ever to win the award. Perhaps only Simone Biles could rival her for the honor this year, but Biles won the award in 2021 and did not have the impact that Clark did. Biles delivered a stunning performance in Paris, winning three gold medals and four overall. Her accomplishments solidified her legacy as the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast of all time with 11 Olympic medals, placing her firmly in the top three in Olympic gymnastics history.
Before being selected first overall in the most-watched WNBA Draft in history, Clark had an extraordinary collegiate career with the Iowa Hawkeyes. In 2024, she became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball (men's and women's), was a two-time national player of the year, and led her team to back-to-back Finals, losing both games. Months later, she won WNBA Rookie of the Year after breaking numerous records with the Indiana Fever, leading the team to its most wins in a season since 2015 and its first playoff appearance since 2016.
Caitlin Clark's Olympic Snub Sparks Debate Over Time's Award
Of course, winning an award as prestigious as TIME's Athlete of the Year doesn't come without controversy, especially among Caitlin Clark's most die-hard fans. One of the most popular comments on TIME's post reads, "The Athlete of the Year wasn't allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics. It's true that the only thing that would have made Clark's outstanding year even better would have been winning an Olympic gold medal aside from a national championship or a WNBA title, both of which she was at least eligible to compete for. Her exclusion from the Olympic team caused quite a stir at the time.
The reality is that the U.S. women's basketball team has dominated the Olympics for years, winning its eighth consecutive gold medal last summer. Clark's inclusion wouldn't have changed the outcome, but it certainly could have increased the global exposure of women's basketball. Her fame transcends borders, and just as she helped the WNBA achieve record-breaking metrics in TV ratings, merchandise sales, sold-out arenas and other positive statistics, she could have done the same for women's basketball on an international stage.
Unfortunately, that opportunity has passed, and fans will have to wait until the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup to see Clark on the international stage. If not, her time will come at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where she could arrive as a WNBA champion, MVP, and maybe even the U.S. team's flag bearer. Until then, let's enjoy her incredible game and humble approach to basketball. Some suggest that Commissioner Cathy Engelbert needs to do a better job with Clark to expose her to the fullest, something even Adam Silver the NBA commissioner did in an Instagram post.
Caitlin Clark's Historic Rookie Season
Caitlin Clark's rookie season was nothing short of extraordinary and is the primary reason she is TIME's Athlete of the Year. She led the WNBA in assists per game (8.4), shattered the single-season assist record with 337, and set a single-game high with 19. Clark also excelled from beyond the arc, draining 122 three-pointers to move into second place all-time for most three-pointers made in a season, trailing only Sabrina Ionescu's 128. Most notably, she now holds the WNBA rookie record for most three-pointers made in a single season.
Among her fellow rookies, Clark dominated every major statistical category, including points, assists, three-pointers, field goals, and steals. She became the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double, and she did it twice. With an astounding approach to the game, points, assists and three-pointers combined, her debut season laid the foundation for what promises to be an extraordinary career. At just 22 years old, Clark's talent and influence are just beginning to blossom, and her trajectory points to even greater achievements in the years to come.