Caitlin Clark addresses her relationship with LSU star Angel Reese ahead of Elite 8 showdown

A lot has been made of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese‘s relationship ever since LSU defeated Iowa 102-85 in the 2023 national championship game.

Filled with trash talk, taunts and more, many assumed that the two pillars of women’s college basketball have a sour relationship. Earlier on Sunday, Reese cleared the air by saying that the pair “don’t hate each other.” Now, Clark is backing up her opponent regarding their relationship off the court.

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“Me and Angel have always been great competitors,” Clark said. “Obviously, she played in the Big Ten for a while to begin her career and that’s what makes women’s basketball so fun. You have great competition and that’s what we’ve had all year long. But I think Angel would say the same, it’s not just us in women’s basketball. That’s not the only competitive thing about where our game is at and that’s what makes it so good. We need multiple people to be really good.

“I think both of our careers, whether she decides to stay or to go, we’ll have great careers in the WNBA and that’s been both of our dreams all along. So I think we’re both excited for that as well.”

Reese agrees with Clark’s sentiment, chalking up the so-called beef from last year’s title game to ultra competitiveness. The LSU star says there are no friends between the lines aside from your teammates — and that goes for everyone, not just Clark.

With a record number of college basketball fans tuning in to watch last year’s matchup, rumors and allegations regarding Clark and Reese’s relationship have spread for nearly an entire year. Both have now said there were never any hard feelings.

For Reese, her mindset says that on the court, there is no love lost against anyone trying to keep her and the Tigers from winning that specific game. She’s playing to win, but the respect remains — especially when battling the face of college basketball. Off the court, it’s a “Hey girl! What’s up? Let’s hang out,” kind of mindset.

Overall, nothing is personal. Clark and Reese are just two of the most competitive stars in college basketball today, which makes the impending matchup between the Hawkeyes and Tigers on Monday night all the more interesting. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET live on ESPN.