“Caitlin Clark Is a Star — But Angel Reese Lit the Flame”: Joy Taylor’s Bold Take Sparks Fiery Debate in Sports World
Joy Taylor has never been one to mince words — and her latest commentary may have just cracked open one of the most heated debates in modern sports.
On a recent broadcast, the popular FOX Sports host dropped a bombshell take that immediately sent social media into a frenzy: “Caitlin Clark is a superstar, no doubt. But let’s not act like she did this all on her own. Angel Reese was essential to her rise. That rivalry made Caitlin must-watch television.”
And just like that, the internet exploded.
A Rivalry That Changed the Game
Caitlin Clark has become a household name, hailed as one of the most electrifying college basketball players of her generation. Her sharp shooting, confident swagger, and clutch performances have turned Iowa games into national events. But Joy Taylor’s point wasn’t about diminishing Clark’s talent — it was about context.
Taylor argues that it was the drama between Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese that pushed women’s college basketball into the cultural mainstream in a way rarely seen before. Their fiery clash in the 2023 NCAA Championship game — culminating in Reese’s now-iconic “You can’t see me” gesture — sparked headlines, Twitter wars, and national conversations. Suddenly, people who’d never watched a women’s game were tuning in.
“Let’s be real,” Taylor continued. “The rivalry gave us stakes. It gave us storytelling. That’s what sports thrive on. Caitlin was already great — Angel made her legendary.”
Fans Clap Back — and Clap Along
Unsurprisingly, Taylor’s remarks were met with polarized reactions. Clark’s loyal fanbase rushed to her defense, insisting that her talent, work ethic, and stats speak for themselves. “She doesn’t need drama to shine,” one user tweeted. “Caitlin Clark is HIM — period.”
But others agreed with Taylor’s framing. “Every Batman needs a Joker,” another wrote. “Angel Reese didn’t create Caitlin Clark, but she definitely turned her into prime time TV.”
And it’s hard to ignore the numbers. The 2023 title game between Iowa and LSU drew record-breaking ratings, outpacing many NBA playoff games. The rematch the following season? Even bigger.
Two Icons, One Stage
What’s fascinating about this debate is that both Clark and Reese have leaned into the spotlight — but in very different ways.
Clark plays with a laser focus, rarely engaging in theatrics, letting her jaw-dropping performances do the talking. Reese, on the other hand, thrives on emotion, swagger, and unapologetic confidence. The contrast is part of what made their face-offs so magnetic.
Together, they represent a new era in women’s sports — one where players aren’t just athletes, but characters in an unfolding drama, worthy of headlines, highlight reels, and headline debates.
Joy Taylor saw that — and said what many were thinking, but perhaps afraid to voice.
Bigger Than the Court
Beyond the rivalry, Taylor’s comments also open up broader conversations about race, media bias, and who gets to be America’s sweetheart.
Reese, a proud Black woman who has faced constant criticism for her on-court demeanor, has spoken openly about the double standards she experiences. Meanwhile, Clark, who is white, has been embraced by media outlets and brands at a dizzying pace.
By suggesting that Reese was essential to Clark’s rise, Taylor wasn’t just commenting on basketball — she was challenging the narrative around who gets credit, and why.
“I’m not saying Caitlin owes Angel her whole career,” Taylor clarified. “But if we’re talking about why the world cares — why people are buying tickets, wearing jerseys, watching — then yeah, you’ve got to give Angel Reese her due.”
The Legacy They’re Building
As both players move into their professional careers, the legacy of their college rivalry continues to echo. They’ve already inspired a new generation of young athletes — not just by what they did with the ball, but by how they carried themselves under pressure, in the spotlight, and against each other.
Whether you side with Joy Taylor or not, one thing is undeniable: the story of Caitlin Clark cannot be told without Angel Reese — and vice versa.
Together, they didn’t just elevate each other.
They changed the game.
And everyone was watching.
