Iowa women's basketball sensation Caitlin Clark said Tuesday that LSU star Angel Reese doesn't deserve to be criticized for her controversial NCAA championship game celebration.
Clark appeared on SportsCenter's "Outside the Lines" on Tuesday to discuss the Hawkeyes season, the title game loss to the Tigers and more. Clark was just announced as the 2023 women's Wooden Award winner as the national player of the year.
In the waning moments of LSU's championship win on Sunday, Reese appeared to follow Iowa's sharpshooter on the court while doing John Cena's “you can’t see me" celebration and gesturing to her ring finger alluding to a championship ring. Clark used the same celebration during the Hawkeyes Elite 8 win over Louisville.
In the two days since the championship, the viral moment has sparked huge debate across the sports world and beyond. Some have criticized Reese for perceived taunting, while others have pointed out an alleged double-standard and said that Clark wouldn't be getting the heat if she had pulled the stunt on her counterpart in an Iowa victory over LSU.
Caitlin Clark to ESPN just now: “I don't think Angel should be criticized at all. No matter what way it goes, she should never be criticized for what she did. I compete, she competed.
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) April 4, 2023
“It was a super, super fun game. I think that's what's going to bring more people to our game”
"Men have always had trash talk. ... You should be able to play with that emotion. ... That's how every girl should continue to play."
— ESPN (@espn) April 4, 2023
Caitlin Clark discussed if women are held to a different standard than men on @OTLonESPN. pic.twitter.com/JY7MWlOuVq
"I don't think Angel should be criticized at all."
— ESPN (@espn) April 4, 2023
Caitlin Clark said she thought Angel Reese received too much backlash for her celebrations during the championship game. (via @OTLonESPN) pic.twitter.com/i8tZyO8bai
Regardless of whether fans feel that Reese's celebration went too far on Sunday, it's obvious that both she and Clark (as well as a host of other stars) brought some extra attention to women's college basketball over the last month with a historic tournament. Hopefully the record-breaking numbers from Sunday will continue into the 2023-24 season, as both Clark and Reese will be back for more with the Hawkeyes and Tigers.
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