1. Angel Reese Refuses to Contribute to Caitlin Clark Book

In On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports, legendary USA Today sportswriter Christine Brennan dedicates an entire chapter to the heated dynamic between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. In that chapter, titled “Hip Check,” Brennan revealed that Angel Reese declined multiple interview requests to contribute to the book. A spokesperson for Reese formally turned down all invitations to provide a statement or commentary.

This wasn’t the only time Reese avoided the media spotlight in connection to Clark. During a 2024 WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever — when Chennedy Carter hit Clark with a controversial hip-check — Reese stood and clapped from the bench, visibly pleased. After the game, she skipped media availability and was subsequently fined $1,000 by the league for not complying with WNBA policy requiring healthy players to address the media.

2. Swift Backlash from Fans

As soon as the news broke that Reese had refused to participate in the book, fans across social media pounced.

Here’s a sample of the commentary:

“Because Angel Reese is a sore loser,” one person tweeted.

“She’s probably recovering from a photoshoot,” another joked.

“Maybe she has great court vision” — a jab at her apparent silence while Clark was injured during a recent Sky–Fever matchup.

Many accused Reese of being jealous of Clark’s meteoric rise. The criticism stems largely from the fact that the book positions Clark as a pivotal figure in a sports revolution — while Reese, who has also been influential, is increasingly seen as playing the antagonistic role.

3. A Rivalry Years in the Making

3.1 From AAU to College: The Foundations

The Clark–Reese rivalry dates back to their teenage years on the AAU circuit. Reese played for Team Takeover out of Maryland, and Clark represented All Iowa Attack. Both were top recruits in the 2019 class — Reese was ranked No. 2, Clark No. 4, according to ESPN.

They clashed multiple times in college: first when Reese was at Maryland and Clark was leading Iowa, and then again when Reese transferred to LSU. Their competitive encounters escalated each year — culminating in a high-stakes showdown at the 2023 NCAA Championship.

3.2 The 2023 NCAA Final: The Birth of a Feud

In the 2023 NCAA Women’s Championship, LSU (led by Reese) defeated Iowa (Clark) 102–85. As the final seconds ticked down, Reese famously mocked Clark by doing John Cena’s “You can’t see me” gesture and pointing to her ring finger — a reference to LSU’s impending title.

Critics blasted Reese for poor sportsmanship, even though Clark had used the same Cena gesture earlier in the tournament. The discrepancy sparked racial and gender-based debates in sports media, with many defending Reese and accusing her critics of holding Black women to a double standard.

3.3 The Rematch: Clark Strikes Back

In the 2024 NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight, Iowa and LSU met again. This time, Clark exploded for 41 points and 12 assists, leading Iowa to victory and earning redemption. Reese still managed 17 rebounds before fouling out, but the narrative had flipped.

The rematch drew over 12.3 million viewers — the most-watched game in women’s college basketball history — solidifying their rivalry as one of the most compelling storylines in sports.

4. The WNBA Era: Rivalry Renewed

4.1 Rookie Debuts and Instant Impact

Clark was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, while Reese went No. 7 to the Chicago Sky. The anticipation around their WNBA debuts was immense.

In their first head-to-head WNBA matchup, Clark notched a triple-double (20 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast), while Reese recorded a strong 12-point, 17-rebound outing. But the game’s headline moment came when Clark was knocked to the floor by a hard foul from Reese while fighting for a rebound. The foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1. Reese clapped back at critics, calling it a normal “basketball play,” while Clark echoed the sentiment, telling reporters: “Nothing malicious.”

That game drew 2.7 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched WNBA regular season games in years. Their presence was clearly fueling a league-wide boom.

4.2 Controversial Moments and Missed Opportunities

Later in the season, during another Sky–Fever matchup, Clark was out with a quadriceps injury. The Fever still dominated 79–52, sparking criticism that Reese and the Sky could not capitalize even without Clark on the court.

On July 27, 2025, they were scheduled to meet again in Chicago. Though Clark returned from injury, the tension surrounding the matchup was amplified by recent developments — especially Reese’s refusal to participate in the Clark book.

5. The “Villain” Role — Reese’s Own Words

Angel Reese has publicly embraced the label of the “villain” in women’s basketball.

In multiple interviews, she’s said she’s okay with being the person people love to hate, if it means growing the game. Speaking to reporters during her 2024 rookie season, Reese explained:

“If this is what it takes — if I have to be the villain — then I’ll be the villain.”

She has also emphasized that she doesn’t actually hate Caitlin Clark.

“We’re just both competitive. Me and Caitlin don’t hate each other. This is what the sport needs.”

Still, her refusal to contribute to Brennan’s book is being interpreted by many as a petty move, especially considering the platform and opportunity it could have been — not just for Reese personally, but for women’s basketball as a whole.

6. Christine Brennan’s Perspective: A Missed Opportunity

Christine Brennan, who has covered Olympic sports, the NFL, and NCAA athletics for decades, was clear about her intentions in the book: to tell the broader story of how women’s sports — particularly basketball — are undergoing a revolution, with Caitlin Clark as the catalyst.

In interviews promoting the book, Brennan expressed disappointment that Reese did not participate, noting that her input would’ve added crucial balance. She also criticized the WNBA for failing to properly prepare for Clark’s cultural impact, citing media missteps and league-level inconsistencies in marketing and player relations.

She wrote:

“This isn’t just a sports story. It’s a cultural moment. And it could’ve been more complete with Angel’s voice included.”

7. Fan Allegiances and Legacy at Stake

The feud between Reese and Clark isn’t just a rivalry anymore — it’s a branding war.

Caitlin Clark has become a national icon — landing endorsements, top jersey sales, and even earning comparisons to Steph Curry. Reese, meanwhile, is building a massive following of her own and maintaining relevance both on and off the court.

However, Reese’s rejection of the book — and the wave of backlash it has drawn — risks framing her as someone unwilling to be part of the collective narrative of women’s basketball’s growth. Critics argue that Clark has welcomed the spotlight and the pressure, while Reese has used it as a shield and justification for isolation.

Supporters of Reese, however, point to ongoing racial bias in media coverage, saying she’s held to harsher standards than her white counterparts. They argue that Reese’s refusal may be strategic — a way to take control of her own story, outside of books that center Clark.

8. Conclusion: A Turning Point for Women’s Basketball

Whether intentional or not, Angel Reese’s decision not to participate in Christine Brennan’s book has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about rivalry, representation, and legacy in women’s sports.

The Clark–Reese storyline is now inseparable from the WNBA’s identity in 2025. From their high-profile NCAA battles to their national TV matchups in the pros, the tension between them has drawn millions of new viewers and transformed casual fans into loyal supporters.

But with the spotlight comes scrutiny. As Caitlin Clark continues to be hailed as the face of a new era, Angel Reese must decide whether to lean further into her villain persona — or seize future opportunities to tell her side of the story.

Only time will tell which path she chooses. But for now, her silence has spoken volumes.