Napheesa Collier Exposes Dark Side of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark Effect

Napheesa Collier has witnessed how the new fans that followed Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in the WNBA have made the environment toxic.

Napheesa Collier Exposes Dark Side of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark Effect

Napheesa Collier believes hate in WNBA has transcended Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

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Since Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese came into the WNBA, their respective fan bases have spent every single day criticizing and trolling each other. Established superstars such as Napheesa Collier and others have diligently watched how their league was being affected by this.

Even though it all started after the then-LSU forward taunted Clark after winning the national championship, that narrative has continued to create a rivalry between the two. The players themselves do not want to be a part of this rivalry, but their fan bases, as well as the media, are not ready to let them be.

When one struggles, the fans of the other come in to rub salt into the wounds. This has led to the creation of factions, and they wait for a chance to pick on each other. As per Napheesa Collier, this has spilled over to the rest of the WNBA. Not only are more fans watching the other players compete, but it has also led to the formation of league-wide hate.

It is getting so toxic in our league, with a lot of the fans going back and forth. Basketball and sports are supposed to be unifying. Just hatred out there towards other players, not just Angel and Caitlin. People are so nasty out there. I feel like we are trending in a bad spot with that.

Napheesa Collier said on A Touch More podcast

The Minnesota Lynx star believes other than incidents involving Clark and Reese, other players have started to face ‘hate’ on social media. Most recently, her teammate Courtney Williams faced one such situation.

Napheesa Collier shouts out Indiana Fever fans

Napheesa Collier understands that most of the ‘hate’ in the WNBA was initially started by a group of radical fans who were going after anyone who was taking a shot at Caitlin Clark. But when the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend rolled into Indiana, it was a completely different situation.

It was awesome. Indiana did an amazing job of putting on the All-Star game. The fans looked like they really enjoyed themselves. They showed up to everything. It was just a fun time. The vibes were so good.

Napheesa Collier said
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (Image via Open Source/X)

This shout-out is in line with what other players at the All-Star weekend had to say about the Indiana Fever fans. They saw firsthand how the fans were supporting everyone who was at the events, and helped the players have a great time.

This was in stark contrast to the opinion some players held about Fever fans. It seems the support from Indiana fans has helped change the narratives that were latched onto them since the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year came into the league.

WNBA might have to ramp up security after latest string of events

Now that the spotlight is shifting from Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever fans, as well as Angel Reese, as per Napheesa Collier, the ‘hate’ agenda is spreading across the rest of the WNBA.

If recent incidents are any indication, it is that the league needs to do a better job of protecting its players. For starters, the entire incident involving Courtney Williams was unfortunate. The league has to step in and establish a line of decorum.

Then there was the NSFW toy incident in Atlanta. That shocking and hilarious incident was not only an embarrassment for the Dream but also for the WNBA. Many questioned the lack of security and asked how the W was going to ensure such objects are not allowed inside arenas.

If fans can bring in such objects, and it ends up hurting someone, it could undo all the good they have experienced over the past 2 years. The league cannot let fans completely dictate what they want to put out on the court.

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