“I’m the Best on Team USA, and I’m Here to Dominate!”: Angel Reese’s Bold Claim Sparks Fire – But Caitlin Clark’s Three-Word Response Shuts It Down

In the high-stakes world of women’s basketball, rivalries fuel the fire that keeps fans hooked. Few matchups have captured the imagination quite like the ongoing saga between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

From their epic college showdown in the 2023 NCAA Championship to their professional battles in the WNBA, these two superstars have consistently delivered drama, skill, and unapologetic confidence.

But as both players arrived at the USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp in Durham, North Carolina, on December 12-14, 2025, tensions reached a new boiling point.

The camp, held at Duke University under new head coach Kara Lawson and managing director Sue Bird, marked a generational shift for Team USA. Ten players, including Clark, Reese, and rising star Paige Bueckers, were making their senior national team debuts.

With the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup on the horizon and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looming, this gathering was about building chemistry and identifying the core of the next dominant U.S. squad.

Veterans like Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, and Kahleah Copper mixed with the young talent, creating an electric atmosphere from day one.

Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky’s dynamic forward known for her rebounding prowess and unfiltered personality, wasted no time making headlines. Upon her arrival, when asked by reporters about joining such a star-studded group alongside legends and fellow rookies, Reese didn’t hold back.

“I’m the best on Team USA, and I’m here to dominate!” she declared boldly. The statement immediately went viral, igniting debates across social media and sports talk shows.

Reese’s words carried extra weight given the context. She openly referenced challenging established guards like Kara Lawson (now the head coach) and Sue Bird (the managing director), implying her versatility and improvement made her the top talent. But the real jab seemed directed at Caitlin Clark, her longtime rival.

Reese highlighted her own growth in the 2025 WNBA season – stepping up as a playmaker with her assists jumping from 1.3 to 3.7 per game after injuries hit the Sky’s backcourt – subtly contrasting it with Clark’s injury-plagued year that limited her on-court impact.

It was classic Reese: confident, provocative, and unafraid to stir the pot. Fans of the LSU product praised her for owning her greatness, seeing it as the kind of swagger that elevates the game.

Critics, however, called it borderline arrogant, especially in a team setting where humility often blends with competitiveness on Team USA rosters that have won eight straight Olympic golds.

The moment didn’t go unanswered. Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever’s record-breaking guard who has revolutionized women’s basketball with her logo threes and visionary passing, was quick to respond during her own media session later that day.

Known for letting her play do the talking – even after a 2025 season cut short by groin and quad injuries – Clark kept it short, sharp, and devastatingly effective.

When pressed on Reese’s claim and whether it motivated her, Clark simply replied: “See the numbers.”

Just three words. But in the context of their rivalry, they landed like a knockout punch.

Clark’s retort was a masterclass in subtlety and shade. It pointed directly to the statistical dominance she has held over Reese throughout their careers. In college, Clark shattered NCAA scoring records, becoming the all-time leading scorer in Division I history.

In their head-to-head matchups, Clark often outshone Reese in points, assists, and overall impact. Even in the pros, despite Reese’s rebounding mastery and double-double streaks, Clark’s rookie season in 2024 set records for assists and scoring by a rookie, earning her Rookie of the Year honors.

The numbers don’t lie: Clark’s career averages, efficiency from deep, and ability to elevate teammates have consistently placed her in a tier above in many analysts’ eyes. By saying “See the numbers,” Clark didn’t need to boast or engage in trash talk.

She let the stats – the objective truth in a sport obsessed with metrics – do the dismantling. Reports from the camp described Reese as visibly stunned during scrimmages afterward, her usual trash-talking energy subdued as Clark drained step-back threes and dished no-look passes with ease.

Insiders at the camp noted the exchange added extra intensity to practices.

In one drill, Reese battled fiercely in the paint against players like Kiki Iriafen, while Clark showcased her return to full health, shaking off rust with sharp crossovers that left defenders – including a memorable moment where Paige Bueckers hit her with a step-back three.

But the undercurrent was unmistakable: Reese’s bold proclamation had backfired, and Clark’s calm deflection turned the narrative.

This latest chapter in the Clark-Reese rivalry underscores why it’s the most compelling storyline in women’s basketball. It began in 2023 when Reese’s LSU Tigers defeated Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the national title game, complete with gestures and celebrations that polarized fans.

It continued into the WNBA, with physical matchups, flagrant fouls, and record viewership whenever the Fever faced the Sky. Now, on the national team stage, it’s evolving into something bigger – a clash of styles, personalities, and legacies.

Reese embodies grit, rebounding, and interior dominance, coupled with outspoken confidence that resonates with many who see her as a trailblazer for unapologetic Black excellence in the sport. Clark represents revolutionary guard play, long-range shooting that has changed how the game is played, and a quieter but equally fierce competitiveness.

Yet, both have shown maturity off the court. They teamed up effectively in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, where the rookie-led squad upset the Olympic team. At this camp, they discussed unity during ongoing CBA negotiations, with Clark emphasizing compromise and Reese stressing player solidarity.

Sources say the two shared laughs in downtime, proving the rivalry is professional, not personal.

Still, moments like this keep fans invested. Reese’s claim of being “the best” and aiming to “dominate” challenged the status quo, including legends like Bird and Lawson. But Clark’s “See the numbers” response was a reminder that in basketball, stats often silence bravado.

As Team USA prepares for future glory, this exchange highlights the exciting new era. With talents like Bueckers (the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year) joining the mix, the U.S. women remain favorites.

But the internal competition – fueled by bold statements and razor-sharp comebacks – will only make them stronger.

Angel Reese left the camp speechless in the face of Clark’s retort, but knowing her resilience, she’ll respond on the court. Caitlin Clark, meanwhile, reinforced why many already consider her the face of the next generation.

The numbers, after all, speak for themselves.