Rusty Weiss
During Team USA’s commanding 91-48 victory over Puerto Rico in the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers late last week, a brief moment between stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese quickly overshadowed the dominant performance.
Video circulating online captured Reese extending her hand for a high-five as Clark checked into the game, only for the Indiana Fever standout to walk straight toward her, then promptly turn away without acknowledgment.
The snub, likely not intentional, left her Chicago Sky rival momentarily holding her arm out to no avail.
The clip, filmed during a substitution sequence, has sparked widespread discussion among fans, not to mention the media, which undoubtedly loves to interject animosity between the two into their storylines.
Granted, they clearly aren’t huge fans of each other, but sports journos like to make this a race thing. I’d be surprised if they don’t accuse Clark of “white privilege” here.
Caitlin Clark does NOT like Angel Reese 👀 pic.twitter.com/BaNnYJD8Wt
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) March 13, 2026
High-Five Snub Fuels Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Rivalry
The interaction revives one of women’s basketball’s most publicized rivalries, which first exploded during the 2023 NCAA championship when Reese’s taunting gestures toward Clark drew intense scrutiny.
It wasn’t all that long ago we saw Reese taunting Clark with a ‘you can’t see me’ gesture while also pointing to her ring finger. As in, ‘Hey Caitlin, you’re not getting a championship ring.’
During their rookie seasons, Reese was hit with a flagrant after getting beaten by Clark to the hoop and subsequently clubbing her in the head in an attempt to swat the ball away.
Clark would later get a little revenge with this move…
ANGEL REESE TO CAITLIN CLARK:
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 17, 2025
“You crazy as f*ck”
“What the f*ck is wrong with you?”
pic.twitter.com/WQCfmjAiuT
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Now sharing the court as USA teammates for the first time in this international window, the pair’s professional collaboration appears to carry lingering awkwardness despite both players’ focus on preparing for the global tournament.
No comments from Clark, Reese, or USA Basketball have addressed the specific high-five moment, and observers remain split on whether it was an intentional slight or simply missed in the flow of the game.
Regardless, the episode underscores the enduring public fascination with the Clark-Reese dynamic. The media so desperately wants this to be the next Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry. The problem is, only one player is living up to expectations out of college, while the other can’t make layups.
Announcer: “Caitlin Clark to Angel Reese! WHAT A CONNECTION!”
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) March 14, 2026
*Angel Reese blows the lay-up straight off the backboard* 🤣 pic.twitter.com/SofDKl0Bb4