The numbers don’t lie — and this one stings for Angel Reese fans.

As Caitlin Clark made her professional debut in the WNBA preseason, she sold out the arena with over 15,000 screaming fans packing into Carver-Hawkeye Arena like it was the NCAA Final Four all over again. Meanwhile, back at LSU, Angel Reese and her Tigers held a recent postseason event — and the turnout was… embarrassingly low.

While Caitlin Clark was receiving NBA-level crowd energy, signing autographs for rows of young girls wearing Fever gear, and getting standing ovations for her signature deep threes, LSU’s event looked like a ghost town in comparison. Empty seats. Quiet gym. Little buzz. The contrast couldn’t have been sharper — and fans across social media noticed.

“One just became the face of women’s basketball, the other is learning what happens when the hype fades,” one X user posted.
Another went even further:
“Caitlin Clark sells out preseason games. Angel Reese couldn’t fill her own building. That’s the difference between star power and social media clout.”

Clark’s debut for the Indiana Fever was more than just a basketball game — it was a moment. Not only did she perform (scoring 22 points and hitting multiple logo-range threes), she did it with the poise and magnetism of a superstar who’s already changing the sport. Her transition to the WNBA isn’t just smooth — it’s explosive.

Reese, on the other hand, has been quieter since LSU’s early exit from the NCAA tournament. Though she remains a high-profile name, with strong brand deals and a massive online following, the energy surrounding her career has cooled in comparison to the Caitlin Clark Effect, which is now being felt nationwide — and even internationally.

This isn’t the first time these two have been compared. Their rivalry reached boiling point in the 2023 NCAA Championship and carried into this past season. But now, in the early days of Clark’s pro career, it’s clear she’s pulling ahead — not just in performance, but in public support.

Caitlin Clark has already become the WNBA’s biggest draw — and she hasn’t even played a regular season game yet. Meanwhile, Angel Reese might need to regroup and refocus to regain momentum before she joins the league herself.

The message is clear: fans are voting with their feet — and their wallets — and right now, they’re all in on Caitlin Clark.