Angel Reese sends message to critics of Caitlin Clark taunt

The taunt heard ’round the world. LSU‘s dominant 102-85 win over Iowa in the 2023 Women’s National Championship game was highlighted and capped off by some showmanship from Tiger’s star forward Angel Reese.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark gave John Cena’s famous ‘you can’t see me’ celebration some new life during the NCAA Tournament, using the gesture in the Hawkeyes Elite Eight victory over Louisville. And in the closing moments of Sunday’s championship game, Reese gave Clark a taste of her own medicine by doing the gesture in her face when the Tigers had the victory in hand.

Some greeted Reese with some backlash for her celebration, which she responded to following her championship win.

“I’m happy, I mean all year I was critiqued about who I was. I don’t fit the narrative, I don’t fit in the box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing,” Reese said.

Both Reese and Clark are two fiery competitors, who have gained some attention for some of their antics between plays throughout the NCAA Tournament, attention that Reese believes has not been as favorable to her.

“So this is for the girls that look like me,” Reese continued. “That’s gonna speak up on what they believe in, it’s unapologetically you, and that’s what I did it for tonight. This was bigger than me tonight, it was bigger than me. Twitter’s gonna go on a rage every time and I’m happy, I feel like I’ve helped grow women’s basketball this year, I’m super happy and excited so I’m looking forward to celebrating into next season.”

Reese definitely set an example for those watching with her performance throughout the tournament. She scored 15 points and 10 rebounds in the national championship game and averaged 23.3 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game throughout the tournament, securing the Most Outstanding Player award for the 2023 NCAA Tournament to go along with her championship ring.

Angel Reese taunts Caitlin Clark with John Cena celebration during title win

There’s no question that LSU star forward Angel Reese put the cherry on top of the Tiger’s national championship win over Iowa on Sunday. The Tigers defeated Iowa 102-85 in the women’s national championship, breaking a record for most points scored in a national championship game.

Reese didn’t only help the Tigers break some records on Sunday, but the hearts of some Iowa fans. In the closing moments of the game, Reese mocked the infamous ‘you can’t see me’ celebration originated by WWE wrestler John Cena and revitalized by Iowa guard Caitlin Clark in their Elite Eight matchup during the tournament.

After pointing towards her finger to signify the Tiger’s future championship ring, Reese did Clark’s celebration in Clark directly in her face in a truly unforgettable moment that can be seen below.

ANGEL REESE TO CAITLIN CLARK 😳 pic.twitter.com/2NY0CEzwJ3

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2023

Following the game, Reese discussed the moment with the ESPN crew.

“I was waiting. When I tell you I was waiting, I was waiting,” Reese said postgame about the moment.

“Caitlin Clark is a hell of a player for sure, but I don’t take disrespect lightly,” Reese said. “And she disrespected Alexis (Morris) and my girls. South Carolina, they’re still my SEC girls too. But y’all not gonna disrespect them either. I wanted to pick her pocket but I had a moment at the end of the game and I was just in my bag. I was in my moment.”