Caitlin Clark agreed with Angel Reese in response to Dawn Staley comments

Angel Reese agreed with Caitlin Clark as the two celebrated Dawn Staley leading South Carolina to another national championship in 2024, downing Clark’s Iowa squad in the title game

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese both agreed with one another as they watched Dawn Staley win her third national championship as the head coach of South Carolina.

Clark had a historic career with Iowa, parlaying her success to become the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Draft, which also saw her break WNBA records as a member of the Indiana Fever. Reese made her own mark with the Chicago Sky, proving how dominant she is as a player, especially when all falls her way.

After South Carolina defeated Iowa to prevent Clark from winning a national championship with the Hawkeyes, Staley heaped high praise on the outgoing star. In particular, Staley took time out of her press conference to pay tribute to Clark as she ended her collegiate career on a disappointing note. It comes as Reese’s huge WNBA salary was revealed and her mom reacted to her latest large purchase.

“Personally want to thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,” Staley said at the time of the star guard. “She carried a heavy load for our sport. … Caitlin Clark if you’re out there you’re one of the GOATs of our game. We appreciate you.”

In response to Staley’s comments, the guard returned the praise in kind as she applauded the dynasty the legendary head coach has built with South Carolina, which culminated in three national championships in 2017, 2022, and 2024.

“I think any time somebody like coach Staley is able to recognize you and what you did for the game is pretty special and obviously, she is somebody I respect very much,” Clark began. “I respect what she has done for South Carolina, I respect what she did as a player for our game and any time you can get the praise from her is pretty special so it means a lot.”

Despite how some view Clark and Angel Reese’s relationship, the two have a deep respect for one another ( 
Image:
Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
After the exchange between Clark and Staley, Reese chimed in with her two cents on the matter. Taking to social media, the former LSU star lauded what the South Carolina head coach had done, stating: “I’m sooo happy for @dawnstaley!! As a black woman, I admire what you’ve done! You always checked on me & always loved me like your own!”

That said, Clark had never been coached by Staley, though now, she has an idea of what to expect from players who have been coached by the head coach. In the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Fever selected South Carolina star Bree Hall with the No. 20 pick overall.

Hall won two championships under Staley, and because of their bond, the 54-year-old is uniquely qualified to speak on Hall’s abilities. In particular, Staley inadvertently shared what Clark can expect from her new teammate when the two get together on the floor.

“Bree’s an elite defender. It’s elite – the things that she does, the people that she has to guard,” Staley said. “In my 25 years of coaching, she’s on my all-time defensive team – all the players that I’ve coached – because she’s very consistent with it, and she relishes the challenge.”