The 2024 WNBA Draft class is hailed by many as one of the best in the history of the association, with transcendent talent Caitlin Clark, who's already been breaking records through her first 12 games as a member of the Indiana Fever, leading the way. Clark, however, is not alone in terms of the marketable rookies the WNBA has. In addition to Clark, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has also been making waves with her relentless effort on the hardwood as well as her infectious personality off the court.

Now, there has been a budding rivalry of sorts between Clark and Reese; it all began back in their collegiate days, when Reese's LSU took down Clark's Iowa during the 2023 NCAA Women's National Championship Game. It wouldn't be rivalry if it were one-sided, so Clark made sure to retaliate, this time with her Hawkeyes sending the Tigers home in the Elite Eight in 2024.

It has even gotten to the point where Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's dynamic on the hardwood is being compared to the one shared by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird back in their days reigning supreme over the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, respectively. Johnson, in fact, signed off on this comparison in an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, saying that Clark and Reese's dynamic, indeed, is analogous to his iconic rivalry with Larry Legend.

This is big praise from the Lakers legend, as Johnson and Bird came to define an era of basketball. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese figure to do the same, although their teams (Fever and Sky, respectively) will have to compete for the championship like the Lakers and Celtics did before they can truly stake their claim as the defining rivalry of this upcoming era of women's basketball.

Caitlin Clark may be transcendent, but Angel Reese is doing her best to catch up

Caitlin Clark's impact on women's basketball has simply been amazing to watch unfold. The Fever star is drawing sold-out crowds wherever she plays, and it has led to record viewership for the WNBA. The more eyes there are tuned to the product means that women basketball players should get the improved monetary compensation they so desire in the near future.

However, Clark isn't alone in lifting the sport to new heights. Angel Reese has also been expressive of her part to play in elevating the sport, and she hammered home the point that it will take a group effort to continue revolutionizing the game.

On the court, there haven't been many opportunities for Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to strengthen their burgeoning rivalry. But during their limited encounters, there have been some moments that have fanned the fuel of their increasingly contentious dynamic.

No one would ever forget the time when Reese pointed to her ring finger in Clark's face as LSU inched closer to the national title in 2023. During the Fever and Sky's earlier meeting this season, Reese celebrated vociferously on the bench after Chennedy Carter barged into Clark with her shoulder and sent her down to the ground.

There haven't been incendiary moments between the two off the court. But Magic Johnson and Larry Bird's rivalry never extended past the confines of the hardwood anyway. Johnson and Bird drew motivation from each other and refused to relent an inch to each other as the Lakers and Celtics stood atop the NBA totem pole, but off the court, they were very close friends.

Perhaps as Clark and Reese head deeper into their careers, they will find a stronger appreciation for each other, leading to a friendship built upon mutual respect.