Jemele Hill has made waves with a bold statement, calling Angel Reese the “Michael Jordan of the WNBA” and drawing comparisons to Caitlin Clark. But what exactly did Hill mean by this, and why is she shaking up the conversation in women’s basketball? What’s behind the media frenzy surrounding these two stars? Let’s dive into the details and explore how Hill compares Reese and Clark in this controversial take! 👇👇

As the 2025 WNBA season ignites with excitement, the debate surrounding two of its brightest stars—Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark—has reached a boiling point. In a bold statement that’s sending shockwaves through the sports world, Jemele Hill declared Reese the “Michael Jordan of the WNBA” and argued that she’s already surpassed Caitlin Clark. What’s fueling this fierce rivalry, and why are the narratives about these two players so heavily influenced by race, gender, and media framing? Find out how Hill’s powerful remarks are reshaping the conversation and the cultural tension surrounding these incredible athletes!

Jemele Hill Calls Angel Reese the “Michael Jordan of the WNBA” – and Says She’s ALREADY Better Than Caitlin Clark!

The 2025 WNBA season is proving to be an electrifying one, with record-breaking ratings, packed arenas, and a surge of excitement around women’s basketball. But amid the growing popularity of the league, there’s been a notable undercurrent of tension that’s transcended athletic performance and delved into complex cultural dynamics. The source of much of this debate? Two of the league’s brightest stars: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

As the conversation intensifies surrounding their rivalry, sports analyst Jemele Hill recently made a bold statement that’s adding fuel to the fire—calling Angel Reese the “Michael Jordan of the WNBA” and asserting that Reese is already a better player than Clark. Hill’s comments have stirred up a mix of admiration and controversy, shining a spotlight on the intersection of race, gender, media narratives, and the way we frame athletes.

The Rivalry That the Media Couldn’t Resist

When Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese met in the 2023 NCAA Championship, the stage was set for a clash of titans. Clark, the sharpshooting white star from Iowa, was pitted against Reese, the dominant Black forward from LSU, who was known for her paint presence and fiery demeanor. What followed was a dramatic showdown, with Reese’s postgame gestures and celebratory taunts sparking controversy online. The sports world quickly divided—Reese was branded as “classless” while Clark was heralded as a “fiery competitor.”

But as Hill points out, the media’s decision to paint them in this way ignored the bigger picture. The rivalry between Clark and Reese wasn’t just about their on-court abilities; it was rooted in how society perceives Black and white athletes, women in sports, and the ways we assign labels of heroism and villainy based on culture, not performance. What was a high-intensity basketball rivalry became a battleground for broader societal issues.

Jemele Hill’s Bold Take: Angel Reese as the WNBA’s GOAT?

On her podcast, Spolitics, Hill broke down the media’s obsession with personalizing the rivalry, calling out the way sports analysts and pundits have projected unnecessary narratives onto both players. Hill’s comments were sharp and direct: “It’s not about basketball, it’s about projecting something deeper—something personal and unverified.” She was particularly critical of Robert Griffin III, who had suggested that Reese “hates” Clark, framing his statement as a personal opinion rather than a basketball analysis.

Hill took this a step further by making a statement that caught the attention of sports fans everywhere: “Angel Reese is the Michael Jordan of the WNBA.” She boldly declared that Reese’s dominance, both physically and mentally, in the league was already on par with Clark’s, if not superior. In Hill’s eyes, Reese’s all-around game, ability to take control on the court, and fiery spirit were a rare combination that set her apart as one of the most electrifying players in women’s basketball—much like Jordan in his prime. Hill’s remarks aren’t just about comparing the two players—they’re about elevating Reese’s value in the sport and recognizing her as a transformative force for the WNBA.

The Role of Race in the Narrative

Hill’s comments bring to the forefront the role of race in the way athletes are perceived. The media’s portrayal of Reese as the “villain” and Clark as the “golden girl” echoes a much larger conversation about how Black athletes, particularly Black women, are often depicted differently than their white counterparts. The WNBA’s physicality, passion, and outspoken nature have long been undervalued compared to the mainstream NBA, and this rivalry has become a reflection of that. For Hill, it’s a call to stop projecting these racialized tropes and to instead celebrate the athletes for their skills and their contributions to the game.

The Impact of Hill’s Comments

Hill’s remarks about Angel Reese being the “Michael Jordan of the WNBA” have opened the door for a much-needed discussion about women’s sports, representation, and the biases that permeate the coverage. While Reese’s on-court performances speak for themselves—her dynamic presence, ability to score and rebound, and leadership for the Chicago Sky—her off-court personality and interactions with Clark continue to shape public opinion in a way that some fans and critics see as unfair.

Hill’s support for Reese comes at a time when women’s sports are growing in visibility and importance, yet remain underrepresented in terms of sponsorship, media coverage, and public perception. Hill is encouraging fans and analysts alike to stop focusing on the superficial aspects of athletes’ behavior and instead celebrate their on-court accomplishments, which speak louder than any post-game gesture or headline.

Looking Ahead: A Rivalry That Could Redefine Women’s Sports

As the 2025 WNBA season continues to unfold, fans can expect the rivalry between Clark and Reese to remain a focal point of conversation. However, Hill’s comments serve as a reminder that there is more to these players than the narratives we’ve been conditioned to accept. The future of women’s basketball, and the visibility of players like Reese, depends on the media’s willingness to shift away from reductive narratives and embrace a more nuanced approach to storytelling.

Will Angel Reese continue to build on her legacy and solidify herself as the WNBA’s most dominant player? Will Caitlin Clark find a way to reclaim her place as the face of the league? Whatever the outcome, this rivalry is setting the stage for a more exciting, more inclusive future for the WNBA, one where athleticism, not race or personality, dictates the headlines.

In the meantime, it’s clear that Angel Reese’s journey is just beginning—and if the media, and fans, are willing to embrace her on her terms, she might just be the next face of women’s basketball in the same way Michael Jordan is to the NBA.