WNBA legend slams outrage over treatment of Caitlin Clark after Angel Reese controversy: ‘We can’t make it seem like she was assaulted’
Angel Reese’s controversial foul on Caitlin Clark last weekend was nothing more than “a basketball play,” despite the outrage toward the Chicago Sky rookie.
That’s the assessment of WNBA great Sheryl Swoopes, who has questioned the anger surrounding Clark’s treatment in court and accused fans and analysts of “making it look like she was attacked every time.”
In Chicago’s loss to Indiana on Sunday, Reese picked up a flagrant one-foul after she missed a block and instead hit Clark straight in the head, sending her to the ground.
Following the controversy surrounding last month’s Sky-Fever game – when Reese appeared to congratulate teammate Chennedy Carter for pushing Clark to the ground – the latest foul on Indiana’s No. 1 draft pick has once again sparked an uproar.
But according to four-time WNBA champion Swoopes, the anger over Clark’s treatment on the court is unwarranted.
WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes (right) has criticized the outrage over the treatment of Caitlin Clark
“It’s the clip they want to post because they’re going to get all these likes and reposts… but that’s a basketball game,” Swoopes, the first woman ever signed to the WNBA, said during an appearance about Reese’s foul on Clark . on Gil’s Arena.
“Obviously she hit her in the head, it should be upgraded to a flagrant 1. The referee looked at it, they upgraded it.
‘[But] Can we keep playing basketball? My thing is that every time Caitlin is insulted, we can’t make it seem like she was attacked. Fouling is part of basketball.’
Clark and Reese have taken their memorable college rivalry to the big leagues, with the latter famously mocking her nemesis by performing her signature celebration during the 2023 NCAA championship game.
Now they’re taking the fight and making headlines in the WNBA once again, with Sunday’s controversy adding fuel to the fire.
Reese was not ejected from the game for the foul, as it was deemed excessive but not unnecessary because her swinging arm was the result of a normal basketball motion.
“I think we were playing really hard,” the Sky star said after the match. “I think a lot of times we’ve been up really high and we haven’t gotten a lot of calls.”
“And looking back on the film, I saw a lot of calls that weren’t made,” Reese continued before taking aim at Clark. “I guess some people have a special whistle.”
In Chicago’s loss to Indiana on Sunday, Angel Reese (right) had a blatant one-foul after missing a block and instead hitting Clark straight in the head.
Reese’s foul on Clark has sparked more outrage over Clark’s rough treatment on the field
Dave Portnoy led the criticism against Reese on social media following her foul on the Indiana Fever star
Clark, meanwhile, refused to blame Reese, admitting it was “just part of basketball.”
“What’s going through my mind is that I have to make these two free throws. That’s all I think about,” Clark said.
“It’s just part of basketball. It is what it is. She tries to play the ball and get the block. Yes, it happens.’
The incident has divided opinion in recent days, with Dave Portnoy leading the criticism of Reese on social media.
“Caitlin Clark takes the high road, and all Angel Reese does after the game is shoot at her,” Portnoy said. “That’s egregious, so shut up, Angel Reese. You can’t have your cake.
‘All she does is complain [and] to moan. She has main character syndrome. You’re not Caitlin. You’ll never be Caitlin. So shut up. And own it.”
ESPN First Take host Stephen A. Smith, however, had a slightly different opinion, accusing the WNBA referees of giving Clark favorable treatment despite conceding that Reese was rightly picked up for the foul.
“I also think they’re looking for something from Angel Reese to some extent,” Smith said.
“Because if you remember Chennedy Carter punching or pushing Caitlin Clark to the ground, what was that on June 1 if I remember correctly? You have images of Angel Reese standing up and clapping and all that.”