The latest controversy surrounds the apparent differences in sportsmanship and race. In this case, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Last weekend, Louisiana State defeated the University of Iowa to take home the trophy at the college women’s basketball national championship game. However, the incident between star players Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark has been more of a topic.
During the game, Reese hit Clark with the John Cena “You can’t see me” hand gesture, which caused people to harshly critique her, even though Clark has made the same gesture to opponents in earlier games.
During an interview with ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap on an episode of “Sports Center,” Clark was asked about the overwhelming amount of criticism Reese received compared to her.
First, Clark praised Reese’s basketball skills: “You know, I think the biggest thing is, you know we are all competitive, we all show our emotions in a different way, you know. Angel’s a tremendous tremendous player. I have nothing but respect for her. I love her game the way she rebounds the ball, and scores the ball it’s absolutely incredible. You know, I’m a big fan of hers. Even the entire LSU team. Like I said they played an amazing game. I don’t think there should be any criticism for what she did. You know, I honestly didn’t see it when the game was going on, and like I said, I haven’t been on social media at all.”
Despite the incident, Clark doesn’t plan on cutting back on her competitiveness and spoke on the differences when it comes to men’s trash talk versus women’s trash talk.
“Yeah, I mean, I think men have always had trash talk,” Clark said.
“That’s what it’s been. More and more people as they turn on the game are appreciating it for what it is. I’m just lucky enough that I get to play this game and have emotion and wear it on my sleeves, and so does everyone else.”
“That should never be torn down or never be criticized. I believe that’s what makes this game so fun. That’s what draws people to this game … You should be able to play with that emotion. That’s what makes it so fun.”
“Nobody wants to tune in and see it not be competitive and passionate about what they’re doing. I believe that’s how it should be. That’s how I’m gonna continue to play. That’s how every girl should continue to play.”
First Lady Jill Biden pulled herself into the discussion after saying she would like both teams to visit the White House. An unprecedented request considering in the history of sports championships, it has always been the winning team that gets that invite.
“I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House, we always do,” Biden said the day after LSU was crowned National Champions. “So, we hope LSU will come. But, you know, I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.”
When asked by Schaap if she would want to go as a runner-up, she replied: “I don’t think runners-up should go to the White House,” Clark said.
“I think LSU should enjoy that moment for them, and congratulations obviously. They deserve to go there. Maybe I could go to the White House on different terms. That’s for LSU. That’s a pretty cool moment, and they should enjoy every second of being a champion.”
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