Social media erupts after Angel Reese trash talks Caitlin Clark during NCAA women’s title game

By Lawrence Dow

Updated April 3, 2023 11:57 AM

LSU forward Angel Reese (10) shows Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) her ring finger during final seconds of the NCAA Women’s National Championship basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, April 2, 2023. Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

LSU defeated Iowa 102-85 in the NCAA Division I women’s basketball national championship.

Angel Reese, a star forward for LSU created controversy online after trash-talking Iowa guard Caitlin Clark in the waning moments of LSU’s title victory.

Reese was named the tournament’s most outstanding player and set an NCAA record for most double-doubles in one season with 34.

Reese’s taunt referred to similar taunts done by Clark earlier in the tournament. Social media was full of opinions with some deriding and some praising Reese. For her part, Clark hasn’t vocalized any offense to Reese’s trash-talking.

ANGEL REESE TO CAITLIN CLARK pic.twitter.com/2NY0CEzwJ3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2023

“I don’t take disrespect lightly”

- Angel Reese on taunting Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com/jnPLQ7saVX
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 2, 2023

Super ugly sportsmanship by Angel Reese towards Caitlin Clark considering how terrible the refs were on Iowa’s gameplay.. hated to see it pic.twitter.com/ZzLTSy2Cfv
— toast (@bigashlol) April 2, 2023

"Honestly, I have no idea. I was just trying to get to the handshake line."

"We're all different people and we all have different ways to show our emotions."

Iowa's Caitlin Clark and Lisa Bluder respond to "taunting" by LSU's Angel Reese #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/h8INTxeQqW
— Nick Rothschild (@nick_rothschild) April 2, 2023

Lot of people BIG mad on Angel Reese hitting Caitlin Clark with the "can't see me" move.

Didn't see that same energy when Clark did it vs Louisville. https://t.co/jtd9WJsNp3
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) April 2, 2023

Angel Reese talks trash. Caitlin Clark talks trash. Hailey Van Lith talks trash. Women talk trash in sports, just like men do.

And yet, some treat women differently when they do it. Stop with all this criticism about "class." Let players compete and show intensity.
— Tyler Greever (@Tyler_Greever) April 2, 2023

Class is overrated.

When you win it all, you can stunt. Angel Reese ain't a villain, she not classless, she's a star and a champion. Respect her as such. https://t.co/BtxkH8koiv
— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) April 2, 2023

Teach your players to be classy in victory and defeat.

This display by Angel Reese in the closing seconds, up double-digits, taunting the AP POY is as cringey as it gets.

How you handle victory says as much as how you defeat. Kudos to Caitlin Clark for not engaging.#NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/97gXBPvkXT
— Kelly Andrews (@imkellyandrews) April 2, 2023

.@Rjeff24 says he has no problem with Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark's celebrations:

"I've seen Steph Curry do a shimmy. I've seen Chris Paul do a shimmy right back ... These women are playing at elite levels, there's going to be intense stuff out there." pic.twitter.com/NHEH7Kh5hN
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 3, 2023

Caitlin Clark is a grown woman. She doesn't need your protection.

Angel Reese is a champion. She doesn't need, or deserve, your derision. pic.twitter.com/HTOFYgCr4s
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) April 3, 2023

This story was originally published April 3, 2023 at 11:29 AM.

Lawrence Dow

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.

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