“She’s good—but this felt personal” — WNBA fans ERUPT after Angel Reese beats Caitlin Clark to a prestigious HONOR, sparking outrage, celebration, and a wave of questions about favoritism, timing, and what the league is really trying to say

The announcement was supposed to be a proud moment, but instead, it lit the fuse on a growing divide. Angel Reese was awarded a coveted league honor—one many assumed would go to Caitlin Clark. Moments later, social media exploded. Fans accused the league of playing favorites, fueling an already tense rivalry between two of its brightest young stars. Was this a fair recognition of Reese’s rise—or a calculated move by WNBA leadership to stir headlines? And how did Clark really respond behind closed doors?

See the moment the controversy ignited—tap now to uncover what the cameras didn’t show.

WNBA fans have been left stunned after Angel Reese was named as one of the NBA 2K26 cover stars.

The Chicago Sky star joins Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Carmelo Anthony in being named as a cover athlete for the popular game.

Speaking on her selection as a cover star, Reese told 2K: ‘Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone – it’s a statement.

‘It’s about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically.

‘To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey, but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole’.

While Reese beamed at 2K’s decision to name her as a cover star, fans on social media were quick to suggest that Caitlin Clark should have been selected instead.

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WNBA fans were left stunned as Angel Reese was named as a cover star for NBA 2K26

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Fans online were quick to suggest that Caitlin Clark should have been selected instead

One fan wrote: ‘Should have been Caitlin Clark’.

Similarly, another fan said: ‘We all know it was supposed to be Clark’.

‘Over CC? Something smells fishy,’ another wrote.

One user said: ‘Reese over clark is just another example of how 2k has fallen’.

One fan suggested a different WNBA star, as they wrote: ‘Naphessa collier is having a MVP season but sure give it someone who shoots under 42% and leads the league in turnovers’.

The Chicago Sky star is currently averaging 13.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. She also made WNBA history recently as she became the first player in league history to get 15 or more rebounds in five straight games.

Reese and Clark were collegiate rivals before both being drafted into the league last year, where they have remained extremely competitive with one another.

Despite Reese’s impressive season – which earned her a spot in the All-Rookie First Team and an All-Star selection – it was Clark who was named Rookie of the Year.

Fans piled onto social media to claim that ‘it was supposed to be Clark’ on the cover

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Chicago Sky star Reese joins an exclusive club of WNBA stars to feature on the game’s cover

Clark has also been named as one of the captain’s for the upcoming WNBA All-Star game. She snubbed Reese, who will instead feature for Collier’s team.

Meanwhile, back in May, Clark and Reese’s rivalry reignited with the duo were involved in a heated on-court clash.

Tempers flared between the two women’s basketball superstars when Reese took exception to Clark’s hard foul with 4:38 left in the third quarter as the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky got their 2025 campaigns up and running.

After Reese grabbed an offensive rebound, Clark slapped the Sky forward across the arm, knocking the ball away and her arch-nemesis to the floor.

Angel, who was visibly furious, quickly jumped up and confronted Caitlin as Fever center Aliyah Boston jumped in between the two players.

Following a replay review, the referees upgraded the foul to a flagrant one and called double technical fouls on Boston and Reese. It was Clark’s third personal foul.