Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are showing what can happen when two familiar rivals put on the same jersey.
The two young stars have joined forces with Team USA at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, where their developing chemistry has become one of the tournament’s most interesting storylines. Rather than competing against each other, Reese and Clark are now working together toward the same goal.
Their connection was particularly noticeable during the United States’ 108-56 quarterfinal victory over Hungary. Caitlin Clark finished with 10 points and nine assists, while Reese contributed nine points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Clark assisted Reese multiple times, while Reese also found Clark for a transition basket.
Reese has said that playing alongside Caitlin clark has been enjoyable because the two already understand each other’s tendencies after years of facing one another. That familiarity has helped them quickly adjust to sharing the floor for the national team.
Clark has also spoken positively about Reese, highlighting her competitiveness, energy and work rate. She said the opportunity to play with Reese has been fun and pushed back against outside narratives about their relationship.
The partnership comes after years of attention surrounding their college and professional matchups. Their 2023 NCAA tournament meeting helped establish one of women’s basketball’s most recognizable player rivalries, but their Team USA experience has provided a different setting.
That new dynamic continued through the World Cup, with the United States eventually defeating France 97-79 in the championship game on September 13. Clark scored 12 points in the final as Team USA captured its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup title.
For Reese and Clark, the tournament offered more than another international championship. It gave two of the sport’s most closely followed players an opportunity to develop chemistry as teammates and potentially build a partnership that could continue in future Team USA competitions.
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