Angel Reese, the standout player from Louisiana State University, has disclosed the contents of her brief exchange with Caitlin Clark following Iowa’s victory in the Elite Eight on Monday evening.
Following Clark’s remarkable performance, where she netted 41 points in the 94-87 triumph and set an NCAA Tournament record with nine three-pointers, the Hawkeyes secured their place in the Final Four.

Although the competition between Reese and Clark has been a major topic of discussion since their encounter in last year’s final, the collegiate athletes maintain a friendly relationship off the court.

Observers noted their embrace after Monday night’s game, and Reese has since revealed that she offered words of encouragement to her adversary, urging her to claim the championship title.

“She just told me to continue to be a great player. And I told her to continue to be a great player, as well. And keep elevating the game. And go win it,” Reese told reporters after the game.

In last year’s championship game, Reese delivered an impressive performance against Clark and the Hawkeyes, but this time, Clark demonstrated superior skill. Clark, who has opted to forgo her final year of eligibility and pursue a career in the WNBA, aims to enhance her accolades by adding an NCAA championship to her achievements after claiming the title of college basketball’s all-time leading scorer this season. Leading Iowa against the UConn Huskies in the upcoming Final Four, Clark is poised for another impactful game.

With her exit from the NCAA Tournament, Angel Reese faces a crucial decision-making period. The LSU standout has yet to reveal whether she will complete her final year with the Tigers or enter the WNBA Draft. Following last night’s game, she expressed uncertainty to reporters. However, under WNBA regulations, she must make a choice by Wednesday night, as players advancing to the Elite Eight must declare their draft intentions within 48 hours after their last match.