Caitlin Clark’s return to Iowa wasn’t just a preseason WNBA game — it was a phenomenon. And while Clark was making history in front of a sold-out crowd, Angel Reese — her longtime NCAA rival — found herself quietly overshadowed, despite her own rising profile.

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More than 15,000 fans packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena to witness Clark play her first professional game in her home state, now donning an Indiana Fever jersey. It was the same court where she built her college legacy, and the energy in the building felt more like a championship night than a preseason tune-up.

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“I’ve never seen anything like this for a WNBA preseason game,” said one ESPN analyst. “It was electric from start to finish.”

Clark didn’t disappoint — racking up 22 points, 8 assists, and hitting multiple trademark logo threes that sent the arena into a frenzy. The moment was special, emotional, and loud — everything a superstar homecoming should be.

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Meanwhile, Angel Reese — once hailed as Clark’s on-court equal during their heated NCAA rivalry — didn’t command nearly the same attention. Despite continuing to build her brand off the court through endorsements and social media, Reese has yet to match the basketball impact Clark is having on a national and now global level.

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This gap became painfully clear over the weekend.

While Clark was trending across platforms with viral highlights and fan tributes from Brazil to the Philippines, LSU events featuring Reese saw underwhelming attendance and limited buzz. Even among WNBA insiders, the talk was centered on how Clark is changing the game’s visibility, not just for herself, but for the entire league.

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“Caitlin is drawing crowds the league has never seen before,” one WNBA coach commented. “She’s bringing in fans, money, and media — and she hasn’t even played a regular season game yet.”

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To be clear, Angel Reese remains a valuable voice and personality in the sport — but when it comes to drawing fans, igniting arenas, and elevating women’s basketball to mainstream conversation, Clark is in a different stratosphere right now.

 

As the WNBA season approaches, it’s becoming clear:
Caitlin Clark isn’t just a top rookie — she’s the face of the movement. And unless something changes quickly, Angel Reese — once her equal on the court — may be watching that spotlight move further away.