“Caitlin Clark Stood Her Ground”: NBA Analyst Applauds Her for Leaving Angel Reese Off All-Star Team

The 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game is set to be the most anticipated in league history, and it’s not just because of the talent on display. Beneath the surface of rosters and stats, a simmering rivalry is drawing more eyes to women’s basketball than ever before. At the center of it all are two of the game’s brightest—and most polarizing—young stars: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky.

On a special edition of WNBA Countdown, the All-Star rosters were revealed in a live, televised draft. The format was simple: two captains, Clark and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, would select from a pool of starters and reserves, building their dream teams without regard to conference or position. Clark, the league’s leading vote-getter with a record-smashing 1.29 million fan votes, had the first pick. She chose her Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston, igniting cheers from Fever fans and setting the tone for what would become a draft full of intrigue and subtle drama.

Collier quickly countered by picking Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, and the selection process rolled on, first through the remaining eight All-Star starters, then the 12 reserves. The captains even traded head coaches for added flair: Cheryl Reeve would now coach Team Collier, while Sandy Brondello took the helm for Team Clark. The stage was set for a showdown on July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

But it was a single moment in the draft—not a pick, but a pass—that set social media ablaze and sparked heated debate across sports talk shows nationwide.

A Rivalry Rekindled

As the draft neared its midpoint, Clark faced a decision that was as much about legacy as it was about basketball. Sitting on the board was Angel Reese, her fellow 2023 draftee, long-time rival, and perhaps the most talked-about player in the league after Clark herself. The two had been intertwined since their college days, when Reese’s LSU squad denied Clark’s Iowa team a national title in a game that became an instant classic and a flashpoint for women’s sports.

Now, with the world watching, Clark had a chance to select Reese for her All-Star squad. The media buzzed with speculation: Would Clark extend an olive branch and unite the league’s two biggest stars, or would she double down on the rivalry that had fueled both of their rises?

Clark’s decision was swift and clinical. She passed on Reese, opting instead for Gabby Williams—a move that surprised some, but delighted others who relish the fire of true competition. Clark already had two superstar centers in Boston and A’ja Wilson; she didn’t need another big, at least not one whose presence might distract from her team’s chemistry.

Skip Bayless: “I’m Glad Clark Didn’t Back Down”

NBA analyst Skip Bayless wasted no time weighing in. On his show, Bayless applauded Clark for her decision, arguing that she had refused to bow to media pressure or fan expectations.

“I am so happy that Caitlin Clark didn’t succumb to some media pressure to pick Angel Reese to ‘shut up the haters.’ No, I want the haters to hate,” Bayless declared. “Rivalries sell. That rivalry helped propel the WNBA to the heights at which it is now operating.”

For Bayless, the tension between Clark and Reese is not just good theater—it’s essential for the league’s growth. He sees Clark as the clear standout, the face of a new era in women’s basketball, but he also acknowledges Reese’s importance as a formidable “villain,” a foil who brings out the best in Clark and keeps fans invested.

“I love Caitlin Clark versus Angel because I don’t think they like each other at all,” Bayless continued. “It’s a two-way street. I don’t think Angel likes Caitlin, nor vice versa. And that’s just fine.”

The Power of Rivalry

The Clark-Reese rivalry is more than just a personal feud—it’s a story that has captivated fans, driven TV ratings, and filled arenas across the country. Their contrasting styles, on-court intensity, and history of high-stakes battles have turned every Fever-Sky matchup into must-see TV. The WNBA, long searching for mainstream relevance, has found its narrative: two young superstars, each with legions of devoted fans and critics, pushing each other to new heights.

This rivalry, Bayless argues, is exactly what the league needs. “Clark needed a ‘villain.’ She needed a foil figure. She needed Angel right on time to be a fellow rookie,” he said. “So, as they took turns picking the All-Star team yesterday, Caitlin obviously had a shot with her 7th pick. Angel sitting right there. You could’ve done it. You actually needed a big by that point and Caitlin went Gabby Williams.”

The message was clear: Clark is not interested in smoothing things over for the sake of optics. She’s here to compete, to win, and to keep the fire burning.

Respect, Not Reconciliation

For her part, Clark has downplayed any suggestion that leaving Reese off her team was personal. She cited basketball reasons—roster balance, fit, and strategy. But even if the move wasn’t meant as a slight, it was impossible to ignore the symbolism. Clark and Reese are competitors above all, and neither is likely to sacrifice an inch of ground for the sake of a photo op or a feel-good story.

Their rivalry dates back to college, where Reese’s LSU team famously bested Clark’s Iowa squad in the national championship. Reese’s “you can’t see me” gesture became an instant meme, and the two have traded barbs and buckets ever since. In the WNBA, their battles have only intensified, with each game bringing new highlights and new headlines.

A League Transformed

Since Clark and Reese entered the league, the WNBA has experienced a surge in popularity. Ticket sales are up, TV ratings have soared, and merchandise featuring both stars flies off the shelves. Their rivalry has elevated the entire sport, drawing in fans who might never have watched women’s basketball before.

Bayless sees this as proof of the power of good storytelling. “Less than two years into their WNBA careers, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are still in the early stages of what’s shaping up to be a compelling rivalry,” he said. “While they may not have the warmest relationship, that tension is a good thing. It signals a bright future for the league and its continued growth.”

The Road Ahead

As the All-Star Game approaches, all eyes will be on Clark, Reese, and the next chapter of their rivalry. Will they face off in the game’s final minutes? Will one outshine the other on the biggest stage yet? No one knows for sure, but one thing is certain: the WNBA is better, bolder, and more exciting because of them.

For now, Caitlin Clark has made her choice. She stood her ground, stayed true to herself, and kept the rivalry alive. And as Skip Bayless and millions of fans would agree, that’s exactly what women’s basketball needs.