WNBA

Angel Reese: Caitlin Clark fans have followed me, sent AI nudes to my family

Angel Reese says thereā€™s no hate between herself and fellow rookie superstar Caitlin Clark — but some of Clark’s fans have crossed a line over their perceived rivalry. 

During the premiere episode of her released Thursday, Reese revealed some of the hate sheā€™s been gettingź¦¬ from people she described as fans of Clark which included racism and death threats. 

Reese made sure to absolve Clark of blame for any of the hate the Chicago Sky superstar has been getting, saying that she didnā€™t believe the Indiana product ā€œstands on any ofšŸ‰ that.ā€

Angel Reese absolved Caitlin Clark of any wrongdoing, but pointed to her fans for their messages and hatred.` Unapologetically Angel/YouTube

ā€œI think itā€™s really just the fans. Her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans, that are like, they ride for her and I respect that respectfully,ā€ Reese said. ā€œBut sometimešŸ…°s itā€™s verź¦•y disrespectful. I think thereā€™s a lot of racism when it comes to it and I donā€™t believe she stands on any of that, but when it comes to death threats ā€“ Iā€™m talking about people have come down to my address, followed me home. Itā€™s come down to multiple occasions people have made AI pictures of me naked, literally.ā€

Reese claimed that people had sent those ąµ²AI-created šŸŒŸexplicit images to family members which in turn have resulted in them reaching out to her. 

The debate over Clark ašŸ¬nd Reese has been a massive storyline in the WNBA and dates back to the pairā€™s days in college šŸ—¹at Iowa and LSU, respectively. 

While the two have tried to steer clear of fanning the flames of the rivalry that both have pointed to as one being pushed by the fans and media, it hasnā€™t stopped debate shows and sports pundits from dissecting every aš“‚ƒspect of their games and perąµ²sonalities.Ā 

Reese said during the hour-long episode that Clarš“†k ā€œis an amazing playš”er and Iā€™ve always thought sheā€™s an amazing player.ā€ 

The two have helped the explosion in popularity of the WNBA š„¹this year as both have had stellar rookie campaigns in their own right. 

Clark of course has broken record after record thšŸŒŸis year for both the league and the Fever franchise.

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark makes a long pass upcourt. AP

At the same time, Reese has dominated in her own right averaging a league-leading 13.2 rebounds per game and setting aāœ… single-season record.šŸ¼ 

The two even teamed up during the WNBA All-Star Game in July, dšŸŒelighting many hoops fans. šŸ“;

Reese even appeared to hint that the two stars could fišŸ“–nd themselves teamed up together again in the fź¦‘uture. 

Sky forward Angel Reese (5) shoots a free throw against the Indiana Fever. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

ā€œWe’re gonna play on the same team one day, I’m sure. We’re gonna definitely play on the same team one day,ā€ Reese said.