08 May 2023 , 13:48
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Louisiana State University forward Angel Reese remains frustrated that her taunting of Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark overshadowed the Tigers winning their first NCAA women's basketball championship during March Madness.
Despite Reese, 21, being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player and winning the championship game Most Valuable Player award, her taunts towards Clark were the talking point after the game. With LSU holding a healthy lead, the Tigers forward pointed at her ring finger toward the opposition guard and imitated Clark's celebration by waving her hand in front of her face.
Much criticism came Reese's way during the days after the incidents for a perceived lack of respect for her opponent. Conversely, Clark made clear she had no issues with it.
Asked about it all on the Jennifer Hudson Show last week, Reese replied: "It was frustrating. But to see how much we’ve grown women’s basketball within a couple of weeks, 9.9 million people watched the game, that’s more than the men's, so I know one day, we’re going down in the history books, so it’s bigger than me.
"I’m so happy that we won the championship. I wish it was more talked about, as much as they talked about the Caitlin situation, I wanted them to talk about the national championship because we worked just as hard. We put a lot of sweat and tears into that championship, and people don’t realize that. It's not easy to win a championship."
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Angel Reese imitated Caitlin Clark's celebration during the closing stages of the championship game. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Do you agree with Angel Reese that the Caitlin Clark drama was blown way out of proportion? Join the discussion in the comments section.
"So to be able to do that, it’s the best of both worlds. I’m happy the situation happened, but at the same time, I’m a national champion, and I’m getting that ring."
Reese also addressed her dynamic with Clark, reiterating they have no problem with each other: "People don't realize that me and Caitlin are cool. It was no beef."
"People don't realize that and how competitive both of us are. We're at the top of our class, and to see how much we've grown women's basketball within a year- that was what it was for both of us. So for them (the media) to blow it up to make it seem like it was something that it wasn't was tough.
Reese's Tigers teammates Flau’jae Johnson and Alexis Morris also appeared alongside the LSU guard on the daytime talk show. They echoed those sentiments, agreeing how the incident inadvertently grew the game and held no ill feelings towards Reese for overshadowing their achievements.
These comments also concur with those shared by Clark during an interview with ESPN last month when she poured cold water on any feud. "I don't think Angel should be criticized at all," she said. "No matter what way it goes, she should never be criticized for what she did.
"I’m just one that competes, and she competed. It was a super, super fun game. I think that's what's going to bring more people to our game."