Caitlin Clark says she and Angel Reese have 'always been friends' after winning FIBA Women's World Cup

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese sat next to each other when they were on the bench throughout the final round of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup.

They were seen laughing together at times, and sharing emotion when their team was down.

They connected on several big plays, and changed the momentum of the gold medal game against France right before halftime.

The World Cup was the first time the two played together in high-stakes games, and they came out as world champions.

And despite college and pro careers where they were frequently framed as rivals, Clark claims the two have always been friends.

BREANNA STEWART'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE, CAITLIN CLARK'S EMERGENCE OFF BENCH HELP US TO WORLD CUP WIN OVER FRANCE "We've always been friends," Clark said of Reese after Sunday's final, adding, "don't do that," in response to the question by OutKick about Clark and Reese's friendship.

There has been plenty of speculation about Clark and Reese's relationship ever since the 2023 women's college basketball national championship when Reese famously pointed at her ring finger boastfully toward Clark.

When the two got to the pros, their second matchup against each other drew more than 2.2 million viewers.

In media interviews, the two had been cordial when speaking about each other.

The former Iowa star was asked about Reese in a in a 2024 Time Magazine interview for Clark's Athlete of The Year Award.

"We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another," she said of Reese.

"Yes, we have had tremendous battles.

But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me?" CAITLIN CLARK AND ANGEL REESE MUST NOW WORK TOGETHER AT WOMEN'S WORLD CUP AS WNBA TAKES A HIGH-STAKES BREAK But, even early in their rivalry, Reese expressed a desire to be teammates with Clark.

In a WSJ Magazine interview later in 2024, Reese said, "We brought a lot of fans to this league.