Caitlin Clark defends Angel Reese, says she shouldn’t be ‘criticized’ for gesture directed toward her

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark has said LSU’s Angel Reese shouldn’t be “criticized” for the gesture she directed at her.

Near the end of LSU’s victory over Iowa in the NCAA women’s basketball national championship game on Sunday, Reese could be seen approaching Clark before moving her open hand in front of her face – popularized by WWE star John Cena to mean “you can’t see me” – before pointing to her ring finger in a gesture some interpreted as a reference to the place her newly acquired championship ring might sit.

Clark made a similar gesture to another player earlier in the tournament.

The gesture sparked much debate, especially on social media. Some criticized Reese, while others defended her actions, highlighting how there was no public outrage in response to Clark’s gesture earlier in the tournament.

Reese makes the gesture towards Clark.

In the press conference after claiming LSU’s first NCAA women’s basketball national championship, Reese referenced the difference in reaction she received as a result of her gesture compared to the one Clark received.

Clark, who had 30 points in the national championship game, said that trash talking is a part of basketball.

“I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all,” Clark said in an ESPN interview on Tuesday. “I’m just one that competes, and she competed. I think everybody knew there was going to be a little trash talk in the entire tournament. It’s not just me and Angel.

“We’re all competitive. We all show our emotions in a different way. You know, Angel is a tremendous, tremendous player. I have nothing but respect for her. I love her game – the way she rebounds the ball, scores the ball, is absolutely incredible. I’m a big fan of her and even the entire LSU team. They played an amazing game.”

She added: “Men have always had trash talk … You should be able to play with that emotion … That’s how every girl should continue to play.”

Clark made a similar “You can’t see me” gesture earlier in the NCAA tournament.

Clark also echoed what she said in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s game, saying that she didn’t see the gesture Reese made at the time.

“I haven’t been on social media a ton since we lost,” Clark said. “But I think the biggest thing is, it was a competitive, super, super fun game. That’s what’s going to bring more people to our game. I think the viewership speaks for itself.

“I’m just lucky enough that I get to play this game and have emotion and wear it on my sleeve, and so does everybody else. So that should never be torn down. That should never be criticized because I believe that’s what makes this game so fun. That’s what draws people to this game. That’s how I’m going to continue to play. That’s how every girl should continue to play.”