A earthquake just occurred in the female basketball village when Angel Rese, the star of Chicago Sky, publicly gave a shocking ultimatum for the US team on March 14, 2025. In a live interview on the Podcast “Unapologity Angel,” Reese did not hesitate to declare: “If Caitlin Clark joins this team, I will leave – permanently.” This tough affirmation immediately stirred up the fan community and placed the US basketball federation (USA Basketball) in a awkward situation, especially when the 2028 Olympics were gradually approaching. Just a few hours later, the head coach Cheryl Reeve responded with a surprise statement, causing the drama to escalate.
Reese and Clark, the two most prominent faces of WNBA since the 2024 season, has long been the focus of fierce competition. The relationship between them is not hostile, but the confrontation on the field and the continuous comparison from the media has created a clear tension. Reese, with a fierce style of playing and leading the tournament about Rebound, did not seem to want to share the glory with Clark, who broke the record for rookie points and was considered a bright candidate for the national team. “I’m not here to play teammates with someone who doesn’t respect my value,” Reese said, referring to that she felt overshadowed by the attention for Clark.
Cheryl Reeve’s reaction made the situation more dramatic. In an emergency press conference, Reeve declared: “We don’t let anyone take control of this team – including Angel or Caitlin.” Her tough words implied that USA Basketball would not give in to the ultimatum, but at the same time left the possibility that both players could be eliminated without reaching unity. “This is a national team, not a personal playground,” Reeve emphasized, making fans wonder who she will choose between these two outstanding talents.
On social network X, Hashtag #reesevlark exploded again, with Reese’s fans praising her for his steadfastness, while the supporter of Clark said that Rese was causing unnecessary trouble. “Angel has just turned the team into a circus,” a commentator, while others refused: “She just wants to be respected!” Regardless of the outcome, Reese’s ultimatics raised a dangerous precedent for USA Basketball, and the whole world was waiting to see if she would carry out the threat or Reeve would find a way to extinguish this drama before it beyond the control. One thing for sure: female basketball has never been so hot!
