Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Shine at 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were seen side by side during the final round of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, exchanging laughter and emotions as their team faced challenges. Together, they played pivotal roles in shifting the momentum of the gold medal match against France just before halftime.

This World Cup marked the first occasion for Clark and Reese to join forces in high-pressure games, culminating in their triumph as world champions. Despite the narrative of rivalry during their college and professional careers, Clark emphasizes their friendship. The connection between them proved essential to their team’s success.

In an interview following the final, Clark addressed rumors about her relationship with Reese, confidently stating, “We’ve always been friends.” Reese’s gesture during the 2023 women’s college basketball national championship sparked speculation about their rivalry, yet media interactions revealed mutual respect.

At the 2024 Time Magazine interview, Clark acknowledged Reese, saying, “We’re not best friends, but we’re very respectful of one another.” She highlighted their challenges but questioned the perceived rivalry, pointing out that they seldom guarded each other directly.

Reese expressed a wish to be teammates with Clark in a 2024 WSJ Magazine interview, noting their ability to draw fans to the league and hoping for future collaboration. Their first collaboration came during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, where they both excelled, with Clark contributing 10 assists and Reese achieving a double-double.

More recently, their efforts propelled the U.S. team to a flawless 5-0 record at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico and ultimately secured victory in Berlin. This partnership is likely to continue, with the 2028 Olympics looming, providing another opportunity for Clark and Reese to demonstrate their united strength.

Jackson Thompson, a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, covers significant political and cultural issues in sports. His investigative reporting has gained recognition from various outlets, including federal government actions concerning Title IX and citations in numerous prestigious media sources.