WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie Has Most Centered Take On Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese

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WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie Finally Settles Caitlin Clark Vs. Angel Reese Debate

When WNBA legend Lisa Leslie talks about women’s basketball, it holds a significant weight that must always be acknowledged. There is so much talk amongst hoop fans regarding two WNBA rookies, and the two-time WNBA champion chimed in on the discussion between Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese.

The four-time gold medalist was pivotal in elevating the league in the early 2000s, paving the way for talented players this decade through Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas.

Leslie spoke on the recent rise of the league with Las Vegas Aces president Nikki Fargas, immediately crediting Clark for her impactful contribution to the WNBA.

While Clark and Reese seem to have most of the influence on the rookie class, Leslie didn’t mention the Sky forward.

“We know that Caitlin Clark is here in the WNBA, and that’s been a big change and I love the fact that her impact is something we can really tangibly see. We’re talking about teams changing arenas, getting into larger spaces for their fans, which I think is outstanding,” said Leslie via Las Vegas Aces on YouTube.

The Clark versus Reese debate has been going on for over a year, especially when they battled at the collegiate level with the Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers. Both have moved to the professional stage, but Reese quickly said that the league isn’t growing because of just one player.

According to Front Office Sports, six TV networks have set records for their most-watched WNBA game, and Clark was involved in five of those matchups.

Leslie may have been quiet about Reese’s impact on the game, but she attributes some praise to Wilson as the WNBA MVP frontrunner. The Las Vegas Aces star is leading the league in both points and rebounds, averaging 27.9 points and 11.3 rebounds.

“A’ja Wilson finally getting her deserved shoe that we heard about. I just love the fact that women’s basketball is having the opportunity to get so many eyeballs on the game,” continued Leslie.

Clark currently leads the WNBA’s rookie class with an average of 16.3 points and 6.2 assists for the Indiana Fever.

On the other hand, Reese has also recorded quality numbers, being the only rookie to average a double-double. The young Chicago Sky star has posted 12.4 points and 10.8 rebounds through the team’s 5-9 record.

Leslie believes the rookie class is extremely talented, but she’s also convinced that the WNBA’s growth isn’t about the product but rather about the opportunity they have earned.

“It’s not that the game and the product wasn’t there; we know from even before I played, when you go way back and you look at Ann Meyers and all of the women that came before us, Cheryl Miller. They didn’t have these same opportunities, but their level and their play, if you move those players into this time, they would still have been outstanding women and just some of the best players in the world. So I’m excited to see that fans, new fans, men and women, girl dads, young girls and boys, are having a chance to really celebrate the WNBA.”

During the interview with Fargas, Leslie didn’t go into any detail about Reese’s influence on the game. It seems she’s crediting Clark with the league’s growth, and Reese fits in with the rest of the team’s rookie class behind the Fever guard.

Reese and Clark will face off this Sunday for the rookies’ first matchup in Chicago, Illinois. The Indiana Fever leads the season series 2-0, so all the pressure lies on Reese and the Sky to secure a win at home.