United States women's national team soccer legend Megan Rapinoe praised for about the supposed rivalry between her and . Reese, 21, clarified before the Tournament Elite Eight matchup between and that neither player hates the other. Speculation of a supposed beef had persisted since the duo clashed at least year's national title game. Ahead of the rematch, Reese and Clark have restated the mutual respect shared by one another, drawing a clear distinction between their on-court conduct and off-court relationship. In fact, Reese spoke passionately about the discourse around her, which only intensifies when it includes Clark. So impressive was the speech that it compelled former player to respond on
Social Media. "These kids are lightyears ahead of the narratives," she posted on her story alongside a clip of Reese speaking to reporters. "Me and Caitlin Clark don't hate each other," Reese had proclaimed. "I want everybody to understand that. "It's just a super-competitive game, and I just wish people would realize that once I get between those lines, there's no friends. "I have plenty of
Friends on the court that I talk to outside of the game, but when I get between those lines, we're not friends, we're not buddies. I'm going to talk trash to you. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to get in your head the whole entire game, but after the game, we can kick it. I don't think people really realize that. "That's fine. I'll take the villain role. I'll take the hit for it, but I know we're growing women's
basketball. If this is the way we're going to do it, then this is the way we're going to do it. You either like it or you don't." Rapinoe is 17 years Reese's senior but respects the forward for speaking out and reshaping the narrative. She is also a big fan, sitting courtside at an game Sunday between the and at Barclays Center. The recently retired soccer player is engaged to former Seattle Storm point guard Sue Bird. Clark has previously acknowledged growing up watching and modeling her game after the five-time gold medalist and four-time champion. Those comments came after Bird called Clark "the most exciting player in college basketball" after her NCAA Tournament debut in 2021. That year, Rapinoe also remarked about the freshman guard during the Hawkeyes' run to the Sweet 16. “That Caitlin Clark is a show!! Will be fun to watch for so many years!" she posted on
Twitter after Iowa's loss to Bird's alma mater, , a game in which Clark scored 21 points.