When Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA, few could have predicted the scale of her impact. Her highlight-worthy step-back threes, court vision, and high basketball IQ have captured national attention, driving up ratings, ticket sales, and fan engagement across the league. But while Clark has undoubtedly brought a fresh wave of eyes to women’s basketball, it’s important to acknowledge that the sport’s momentum didn’t begin with her—and it certainly isn’t carried by her alone.

Angel Reese has also played a pivotal role in this new era of women’s basketball. From her viral celebration at the 2023 NCAA Championship to her outspoken confidence, Reese has used her voice to shape narratives and expand conversations around identity, competition, and visibility. Her ability to command media attention has made her not only a household name, but also an icon for young athletes who see themselves in her boldness and resilience.

Recently, veteran broadcaster Dan Patrick made headlines by drawing strong distinctions between Clark and Reese. His comments, while highlighting Clark’s generational talent, sparked a fresh round of debate about how women athletes are discussed in the media. Instead of framing this moment as a rivalry or takedown, it’s more meaningful to view it as a reminder of how the WNBA is benefiting from having multiple young stars who bring different styles, personalities, and strengths to the table.

Clark’s rise is historic, no doubt. Her presence has created unprecedented media interest, with the Indiana Fever scheduled for 41 nationally televised games in 2025. Her rookie cards are selling for record-breaking prices, and she’s drawing comparisons to legends like Tiger Woods and Steph Curry. She’s an athlete whose game speaks volumes, and whose leadership is rooted in humility, discipline, and a quiet charisma that resonates deeply with fans.

At the same time, Reese has used her platform to advocate for herself and others, opening up difficult but necessary conversations around representation, race, and respect in sports. While Clark’s popularity may have brought new fans to the WNBA, Reese ensures that those fans see the full spectrum of what women’s basketball has to offer—grit, intensity, power, and personality. Her ability to be both an elite athlete and a media-savvy public figure makes her an essential part of this moment.

Comparisons between the two are inevitable, but they shouldn’t overshadow what makes both players exceptional. Clark may be the face of this movement, but Reese is its voice. Together, they represent the kind of duality that elevates an entire sport—two distinct athletes with different games and different messages, yet both united in pushing women’s basketball into the spotlight.

Rather than framing Reese as merely a “foil” to Clark, it’s more honest—and more accurate—to see her as a powerful contributor to this cultural shift. Without Reese’s presence and personality, the media attention surrounding Clark would look very different. It’s the dynamic between them that keeps fans engaged, and it’s that contrast in style and energy that makes today’s WNBA so exciting.

Both Clark and Reese are breaking barriers. Clark with her on-court excellence and humble leadership. Reese with her fearless authenticity and cultural resonance. Both are essential, and both deserve celebration. Just as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson once carried the NBA to new heights through both their rivalry and mutual respect, so too can Clark and Reese fuel the WNBA’s golden era.

In the end, the success of women’s basketball won’t be defined by one player or one moment, but by a generation of athletes who aren’t afraid to be brilliant in their own ways. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are not competitors in the fight for attention—they are co-authors of a story that is still being written, one sellout game, one highlight reel, and one young girl picking up a basketball at a time.