Cheryl Miller has remembered the time when Caitlin Clark advised competitor Angel Reese to “just fly” during practice in the run-up to the WNBA All-Star Game.
One of the most interesting side stories in the game in recent years has turned out to be the bond between the erstwhile collegiate basketball rivals. The pair has led the way in an explosion of interest in the women’s game ever since they squared off in the 2023 NCAA National Championship Game.
Originally recruited by the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky respectively, Clark and Reese found themselves on opposite sides of a split once more in the WNBA in the 2024 campaign. But the two loved working together before the All-Star Game because they accepted a rare opportunity to turn out for the same squad back in July.
Before both participating in the fight with the U.S. Olympic squad, which saw the finest of the WNBA’s talent overcome in a 117-109 victory, Clark even gave some words of wisdom to her expected opponent. Basketball legend Miller recalls the Fever point guard asking her friend to “just fly,” noting that she begged her classmate to descend the court as quickly as she could.
Talking on the “ALL THE SMOKE” podcast, the icon recalled: “I was delighted and proud to discover the narrative [about Clark and Reese] wasn’t the truth. And Angel and her got along so great, and seeing them rehearse, and ‘yes, yes, yeah, just get it up,’ and Caitlin is like, ‘Just fly, just fly, just fly.'”
Miller also refuted assertions that the WNBA pair had a difficult relationship before this, stating on “The Mark Jackson Show”: “Those two being on the floor broke whatever narrative people were trying to sell. Ain’t there no resentment? It was also enjoyable to see them engage off the court and [at] shoot about and all around otherwise.”
Regarding Clark, she told TIME: “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re quite respectful of one another. She has been honest about appreciating the conflicts she has had with Reese in the past. Indeed, we have fought valiantly. But when have I lately watched over her? And when has she kept watch over me?
Her modern friend told Women’s Health, “I love that we’re able to compete and still be cool after, regardless of the outside noise.” We only want to win when we find ourselves between the lines ready for competition. That is just the bunch of ladies; we are strong and really powerful in all we do; we always want to win.”
Saying to Wall Street Journal, Reese also said that the conversation around her relationship with Clark has helped the WNBA to become more popular. “I think we’re two terrific competitors. Many supporters of this league were brought by us. And we shall probably keep doing that. And ideally, one day we will be colleagues.