Claressa Shields Claims Angel Reese Faces ‘Racism’ from Caitlin Clark’s Fans Angers Social Media: “Race Baiting at Its Finest”

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have been unofficially attached to the hip ever since they faced off one another at the 2023 NCAA National Championship game. Since then, the media as well as fans have made them official rivals.

The two 23-year-olds have time and again reiterated that they are completely different players. Hence, making them rivals does not make sense from any standpoint. Despite their pleas, they are still considered as two players destined to be named in each other’s company.

Usually, it is one side, Reese, whose fans have long placed her as an equal to Clark. The latter’s fans do not appreciate this comparison, and constantly try to poke fun at her. That is what acclaimed boxer, Claressa Shields, believes is wrong.

Honestly, it is its just full-blown racism, what she deals with. I think the whole finger thing with Caitlin Clark made people jump on this bandwagon of ‘let’s hate Angel Reese for the rest of our lives’. With social media, it gives them the freedom to do that.

Claressa Shields said on The Pivot

This was Shields’ reply when The Pivot’s host Ryan Clark asked why black American women like herself and Angel Reese receive a lot of hate. The boxer believes that since they are all winning in some way, the others are not happy about it.

Claressa Shields summed up the criticism Angel Reese receives in one word, “Racism”. It’s similar to what @serenawilliams experienced at times throughout her career, & Claressa feels it as well.

All three women are authentic, & don’t shy away from who they are. They’ve also all… pic.twitter.com/tziYAOlido

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) July 22, 2025

She believes that since the LSU taunted Caitlin Clark on the grandest stage and stopped her from winning a national championship, white Americans have taken it as a threat and use their hate to bring black Americans down.

Fans find Claressa Shields’ take on Angel Reese hate absurd

Basketball fans watching this episode of The Pivot believe Claressa Shields got it wrong, labelling ‘hate’ as racism. They believe Angel Reese faces what she has instigated. Even Stephen A. Smith once made it clear that the Chicago Sky star invited most of it.

Time and again, there have been instances where it felt as if Reese was piggybacking on Caitlin Clark’s fame by intentionally creating a rival persona. They believe the forward does not yet have the basketball skills to compare herself to the Indiana Fever guard.

On top of that, the opening day aggressive response to a hard foul suggests it is the Maryland native who has a problem with Clark, and not the other way around. Therefore, fans of the Fever star defend her by going after Reese. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Race Baiting at its finest…what’s new @Realrclark25

— stephen lee (@stevebud23) July 22, 2025

Lmao or she doesn’t compare to Caitlyn on the court…. Couldn’t be that could it…

— dot 🥶💎 (@dotwavv_) July 23, 2025

Probably the most absurd thing said in all this is the comparison to Serena Williams. Serena is one of the greatest tennis players of all times, Angel Reece can't make consistent layups & isn't in the top 20 best players in the WNBA.

— CrossCulture (@crossculture323) July 23, 2025

Very simple rule in life, if you’re going to act great, talk great, you better be it. Nobody looks at Angel Reese and sees greatness. Let’s keep it real.

— Mario (@AceOfSpades0603) July 23, 2025

I disagree with the racism perception. She has a selfish attitude about her that I personally don’t like. I love Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Serena and Venus, and so many other Black females who are humble. I don’t believe Angel is in the same breath as them.

— Casey Furman (@furman_casey) July 22, 2025

Yeah, because people aren’t allowed to have a fan dislike of an opposing player. It’s racism. It’s always racism. But it keeps people relevant that are now on the sidelines

— Brscp (@Brscp2) July 22, 2025

Oh my gosh. The race card again. When is this nonsense ever going to end? Just because someone doesn't like someone else doesn't mean it's racially motivated. It might mean they aren't any good

— NCHawkeye51 (@NCHawkeye51) July 23, 2025

People love defending bad behavior. Reese brought all of this on herself by acting like a child. Do not compare her to Serena

— command (@webberf79) July 22, 2025

Had Angel Reese made a name for herself as a standout basketball star, it is possible that none of this would have happened. She would not have faced the trolling and threats she claimed she was receiving.

Candace Parker clarifies ranking Angel Reese in the C tier

After a troubling start to her sophomore season, Angel Reese has turned the corner and has been on a heater over the last few games. In between this, WNBA legend Candace Parker‘s claims that the Sky forward is a C-tier player compared to A-tier Caitlin Clark did not sit well. Now she clarifies that stance.

Can she get to player A or player S, yes she can. Right now, I don’t know if she’s alongside those players.

Candace Parker said on the Good Follow Show

The 3-time champion added that she does not have any hate towards Reese. Rather is happy for her development, but believes she can reach the top tier if she continues working on her game.

There’s a difference between hate and holding space for real conversations.
Candace Parker & Ros talk Candace’s recent Angel Reese comments, criticism in women’s sports, and why objectivity shouldn’t feel like betrayal.

Full episode with @ROSGO21 & @Candace_Parker dropping… pic.twitter.com/RR5ETWKveQ

— Good Follow (@GoodFollowShow) July 22, 2025

Parker added that if this were her colleagues at TNT saying anything negative, they would not face this much backlash. But since it was the WNBA, she has to explain herself to Angel Reese’s fans what she meant.

Also Read:

• Hillary Clinton Supports Caitlin Clark and WNBA Players Demanding Better Pay
• Shaquille O’Neal Goes Speechless over Caitlin Clark’s $70K Contract