Stephen A. Smith Pushes Back On Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese ‘Race Wars’

Stephen A. Smith doesn’t buy into the idea that the conversation around Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is entirely about race.

On a recent episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith responded to a number of questions from fans on social media.

@thehalftimesports Stephen a smith speaks on caitlin clark & Angel reese! #caitlinclark #angelreese #stephenasmith #wnba #nba #nbafinals #stephenasmithclips #nightcap #ajawilson #cameronbrink #indianafever ♬ original sound – TheHalftimeSports

When one fan asked if he believes the two WNBA rookies are being used to “create race wars,” Smith acknowledged why some would think that but ultimately pushed back on it. “I don’t think so, but that’s a valid question,” he said. “If two Black girls or two White girls were going at it, would it be nearly as appealing? I would say no.

You can say race, but the reality is that it wasn’t really any kind of warfare — per se — until Caitlin Clark was busting everybody’s you-know-what and waving her hand in their face like that… and then Angel Reese met her in the NCAA tournament and smoked her with LSU. And that’s what made Angel Reese famous to this level.”

Smith also touched on their personality differences. While Clark “tries to avoid controversies,” he said, Reese is a “proud Black woman who doesn’t run from any noise.”

“You can say race. I think it’s styles,” Smith continued. “I think if Caitlin Clark was as outspoken as Angel Reese — and they played the same position — their battles would be embraced more favorably; but Angel Reese is a forward [and] Caitlin Clark is a guard.

Their style of play is completely different. Caitlin Clark actually plays with more sizzle in her game because she can pull up from the logo.

Angel Reese ain’t that kind of player, but she’s rough-and-tumble. She can get it done. She’s gonna have a long career in the WNBA, I believe.”