Why? Caitlin Clark refuses to pick Angel Reese in WNBA All-Star draft selection

The 2024 WNBA season has been one of the most anticipated in years, largely due to the arrival of generational talents like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Both players have been under the national spotlight since their NCAA days—Clark, a dazzling shooter and playmaker from Iowa, and Reese, a dominant forward and rebounding machine from LSU. Their rivalry, which began in college, has only intensified as they entered the professional ranks.

When the WNBA announced that its All-Star teams would be selected via a draft format—much like the NBA—the anticipation around who would pick whom reached a fever pitch. Fans and media alike speculated about whether Clark and Reese, whose on-court battles have been both fierce and respectful, would end up as teammates or rivals in the All-Star Game.

The Draft: How It Unfolded

The All-Star draft was broadcast live, with Caitlin Clark and another star player acting as captains. The format was simple: alternate picks from a pool of the league’s best, building a team for the much-hyped exhibition.

From the transcript, we see Clark’s picks unfold:

– She starts by picking her Indiana Fever teammate, Aaliyah Boston—a logical move, given their on-court chemistry and the value of familiarity in an All-Star setting.
– She then selects other top talents, prioritizing players she has existing relationships with (such as college or pro teammates) and those whose skills complement her own.
– As the draft progresses, both captains continue to pick based on a blend of talent, need, and personal connection.

Throughout the process, Angel Reese remains undrafted. The cameras and social media chatter focus on this omission, given the public’s fascination with the Clark-Reese dynamic.

The Moment of Decision

As the draft nears its end, Clark makes her final selections. She bypasses Reese several times, opting instead for other players—some for their shooting, some for their defensive prowess, others for their ability to stretch the floor. This is not unusual in an All-Star draft, where fit and chemistry often outweigh pure star power.

Eventually, the other captain selects Angel Reese, citing the need for rebounding and interior toughness—traits for which Reese is renowned. The moment is met with cheers and applause, as Reese herself smiles, clearly excited for the opportunity.

Why Didn’t Clark Pick Reese?

Despite the provocative headline, the reality is more nuanced than any supposed “refusal.” Here are the most reasonable explanations:

1. Team Fit and Strategy
Clark, as a point guard, likely prioritized shooters, floor-spacers, and players she’s comfortable running with. All-Star games are typically fast-paced and high-scoring, favoring players who can keep up in transition and knock down threes. Reese, while an elite rebounder and inside presence, may not have fit Clark’s vision for her All-Star squad.

2. Personal Connections
Clark’s early picks—Aaliyah Boston, Sabrina Ionescu, and others—reflect her tendency to select teammates and friends. Familiarity breeds chemistry, and Clark may have simply preferred players she’s closer with or has played alongside before.

3. Media-Driven Rivalry
The Clark-Reese rivalry has been heavily hyped by the media, ever since their memorable NCAA championship clash. While both players have expressed mutual respect, the narrative of “refusal” is likely exaggerated. In reality, Clark’s choices were probably based on basketball logic rather than personal animus.

4. Draft Dynamics
In any draft, some great players fall lower than expected due to positional needs, team balance, or simple oversight. The fact that Reese was not Clark’s pick doesn’t necessarily mean there’s animosity; it’s just how the draft unfolded.

The Aftermath: Sportsmanship and Perspective

After the draft, both Clark and Reese addressed the media. Clark praised Reese, calling her “one of the toughest competitors I’ve ever faced” and expressing excitement to share the court with her, even as opponents. Reese, for her part, brushed off any notion of disrespect, saying, “It’s an All-Star Game. We’re all here because we’re the best at what we do. I’m just ready to hoop.”

The WNBA community echoed these sentiments, celebrating the depth of talent and the healthy competition that both players bring to the league. Social media, of course, continued to speculate and debate, but the players themselves remained focused on the game.

Conclusion: More Than a Rivalry

The story of Caitlin Clark “refusing” to pick Angel Reese is less about personal drama and more about the realities of team-building, draft strategy, and the narratives that sports media love to amplify. Both Clark and Reese are young stars destined to shape the future of women’s basketball—not as bitter rivals, but as elite competitors who push each other to greatness.

Their paths will continue to cross, on both sides of the All-Star Game and throughout their WNBA careers. For fans, that’s the real story: two transcendent talents, raising the bar for the sport, and captivating a new generation of basketball enthusiasts.