Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup champions. Team USA pulled away from France 97-79 in Sunday’s gold medal game, finishing an undefeated tournament run and giving both stars the first World Cup gold medals of their careers – before the celebration, and one reporter’s question, took over the internet.
How the final was won
France hung around early, but the Americans owned the second half. Breanna Stewart led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds on her way to MVP honors, four of the five starters scored in double figures, and the U.S. lifted its fifth straight World Cup title. Clark came off the bench for 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting with three assists; Reese added three points and three rebounds – and the two were often on the floor together, as head coach Kara Lawson leaned on a pairing that had worked all tournament.
First golds, new chapter
Both were among seven Americans making their World Cup debuts in this tournament. Clark announced her arrival in the opener against China with 14 points and 11 assists, while Reese’s rebounding and screening opened lanes all tournament for Clark’s passing. After the buzzer, Clark kept her celebration simple: “WORLD CUP GOLD MEDALIST” – capped with American flag and gold medal emojis.
The moment everyone is talking about
In the postgame scrum, FOX Sports reporter Jackson Thompson asked whether she and Reese are “friends now.” Clark wagged a finger: “We’ve always been friends. Don’t try to do that!” – then walked off and returned moments later to make the point again. The clip spread instantly. The locker room may have answered the question better anyway: Reese’s TikTok of the champagne celebration went viral, with Clark spraying champagne – and catching some in her own eyes – as the team soaked in its fifth straight world title.
Why it matters
The rivalry storyline has followed Clark and Reese since their college days, but on this Team USA roster it became an asset. Their games complement each other: Reese’s screens and rebounding create openings, Clark’s passing finds her. For USA Basketball, the message from Sunday is straightforward – the next era, with Clark and Reese at its center, is already winning.
Sources: Sports Illustrated; Sportskeeda; Bleacher Report; Times of India. Featured image: Tech-Cavaliers women’s basketball game (2024), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.