The WNBA’s spotlight has once again turned to the simmering rivalry between Chicago Sky star Angel Reese and Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark, but this time, the drama unfolds off the court. Social media platforms, particularly X, have erupted with criticism directed at Reese for what many fans are calling a “classless” move: her decision to decline an interview for a book about Clark, written by USA Today columnist Christine Brennan. Titled On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports, the book chronicles Clark’s meteoric rise and impact on women’s basketball. Reese’s refusal to participate has sparked a firestorm of debate, with fans accusing her of jealousy and reigniting discussions about their storied rivalry that dates back to their college days. But is this backlash fair, or is it another chapter in a narrative that oversimplifies a complex dynamic?

The controversy began when Brennan revealed that Reese, through a spokesperson, declined multiple requests to be interviewed for the book. The decision, reported on July 8, 2025, by outlets like Total Pro Sports, quickly caught the attention of basketball fans. Social media reactions were swift and unforgiving. One user on X quipped, “because angel reese is a loser,” while another jabbed, “she was rebounding from a photo shoot.” A third fan remarked, “She probably has great court vision,” dripping with sarcasm. These comments, while varied in tone, collectively paint Reese as envious of Clark’s success, a sentiment that has followed their rivalry since its inception.

The roots of this tension trace back to April 2023, during the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship game, where Reese’s LSU Tigers defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85. In the final moments, Reese famously taunted Clark with John Cena’s “You can’t see me” gesture and pointed to her ring finger, signaling her championship win. The moment went viral, cementing their rivalry as a focal point in women’s basketball. Clark, who had used the same gesture earlier in the tournament without much backlash, found herself at the center of a double-standard debate. Reese, however, leaned into the moment, later telling reporters, “I think just being able to be in that moment of it happening, you never realized how something can really change your life.” The gesture, while celebrated by some as competitive fire, was labeled “classless” by critics like Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, sparking a broader conversation about race, gender, and sportsmanship.

Fast forward to 2025, and the narrative persists. Reese’s decision to skip the interview for Brennan’s book has reignited accusations of pettiness and jealousy. Fans on X have been particularly vocal, with one user stating, “Countless fans have accused Reese of holding ‘jealous’ feelings toward Clark,” echoing a sentiment that has dogged Reese since college. Yet, Reese herself has consistently pushed back against this narrative. On her podcast Unapologetically Angel, launched in September 2024, she addressed the rumored feud, saying, “Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other. It’s just a super-competitive game. Once I get between those lines, there’s no friends.” Her words suggest a professional respect, even if the public insists on framing their dynamic as personal animosity.

Clark, for her part, has also tried to defuse the rivalry talk. Named Time magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, she told the publication, “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another. The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up.” Her comments highlight a frustration with the media’s tendency to pit the two against each other, often ignoring their individual achievements. Clark’s triple-double performances and Reese’s rebounding prowess—averaging 13.1 rebounds per game in her rookie season—have both elevated the WNBA’s visibility, yet the focus remains on their perceived conflict.

The backlash against Reese’s interview refusal raises questions about fairness and perception. A March 2025 study by Rice University and the University of Illinois Chicago, analyzing social media reactions to the 2023 NCAA championship, found evidence of racial bias in how Reese and Clark were treated. Both players used the “You can’t see me” gesture, but Reese, who is Black, faced significantly more criticism than Clark, who is white. The study’s lead researcher, Shahill Parsons, noted, “This wasn’t just social media chatter—this was a real-time reflection of how race and gender shape public perception.” The current controversy over the book interview seems to echo this pattern, with Reese’s actions scrutinized more harshly than they might have been for another player.

Some fans and analysts argue that Reese’s decision was strategic, not personal. As a rookie embracing the “villain role,” Reese has built a brand around unapologetic confidence. Declining to contribute to a book centered on Clark could be seen as a way to maintain her narrative control, especially given the media’s tendency to compare the two. “I’m not on the ground today, but I don’t love how Angel Reese’s comments have been seemingly mischaracterized,” one X user posted, suggesting that the media’s framing of Reese’s actions may be fueling the backlash. Another user criticized the “disgusting state” of WNBA media, accusing outlets of intentionally painting Reese as a villain to drive clicks and engagement.

The timing of this controversy adds another layer. With the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever set to face off again on July 27, 2025, in Chicago, the narrative around Reese and Clark is sure to intensify. Their previous encounters this season have already drawn massive attention, with a May 17 game marred by allegations of racial abuse directed at Reese from Fever fans, later debunked by the WNBA. Reese responded to those allegations with grace, telling reporters, “There’s no place in this league for that. I think they’ve done a great job supporting us.” Her ability to navigate such controversies while maintaining her performance—evidenced by her double-double in the 2024 All-Star Game alongside Clark—demonstrates her resilience.

Yet, the social media storm shows no signs of slowing. The narrative of Reese as “jealous” or “classless” persists, fueled by a mix of genuine fan sentiment and amplified media coverage. Posts on X have called out the media for “purposely meant to divide fans along racial + political lines,” with one user lamenting, “The coverage of this Caitlin Clark/Angel Reese story is embarrassing.” Others see the rivalry as a boon for the WNBA, with one fan noting, “If I’m the WNBA, I’m pushing super hard that AR and CC is the next great rivalry. Rivalries sell hard.”

As the dust settles, it’s worth considering what this moment reveals about the WNBA’s growing pains. The league is experiencing unprecedented popularity, thanks in part to stars like Reese and Clark. Their competitive history, dating back to their AAU days, has brought new eyes to women’s basketball, but it has also exposed the sport to the pitfalls of sensationalized media narratives. Reese’s decision to decline the interview may have been a misstep in the eyes of some, but it’s also a reminder that athletes are human, navigating fame, rivalry, and public scrutiny in real time. Whether this controversy dampens or fuels their rivalry, one thing is clear: Reese and Clark are writing a new chapter in women’s basketball, one that demands we look beyond the headlines.