“I don’t think Angel should be criticized” - Caitlin Clark takes high road on Angel Reese

In the most-watched women's basketball game in history, LSU took down Iowa 102-85 on Monday to secure the program's first national championship in the sport.

However, it was not the game that has dominated headlines since but rather the antics of Angel Reese and the response surrounding it. After many called Reese's actions classless, Iowa star Caitlin Clark rose to her defense during an interview on ESPN's "SportsCenter."

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@TheNBACentral

“I don't think Angel should be criticized at all. No matter what way it goes, she should never be criticized for what she did. I compete, she competed.”

- Caitlin Clark

(h/t @Sheadixon )

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“I don't think Angel should be criticized at all. No matter what way it goes, she should never be criticized for what she did. I compete, she competed.”

- Caitlin Clark ✊

(h/t @Sheadixon ) https://t.co/OKxU17X560

Clark also said that she does not think Iowa should attend the White House as the Hawkeyes were runner-ups after First Lady Jill Biden on Tuesday suggested that both Iowa and LSU should receive an invitation from President Joe Biden.

Caitlin Clark handles the situation with class

While most of the world has been up in flames over the celebrations or the response to the antics, Caitlin Clark handled the situation as great as she possibly could.

Clark had one of the most impressive performances in NCAA Tournament history, breaking the record for most points scored in a tournament with 191. She became the first player in tournament history with back-to-back 40-point games, one of which was a triple-double. The eight 3-pointers she made against LSU were also the most 3-pointers in a championship game for men and women.

During the Elite Eight victory, Clark gained popularity for her "You Can't See Me" celebration, which is what Angel Reese flexed right back at her in the championship game.

Emmanuel Acho

@EmmanuelAcho

If it wasn’t “classless” when Caitlin Clark did it, don’t call it classless when Angel Reese does it. Let the women compete, it’s sports!!

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If it wasn’t “classless” when Caitlin Clark did it, don’t call it classless when Angel Reese does it. Let the women compete, it’s sports!! https://t.co/lJpS1NId68

Clark attempted to diffuse the situation following the game as well. When asked about it in the postgame news conference, the Iowa star said she was just focused on getting to the handshake line and not paying attention to what was going on around her.

Clark's most recent comments went a step further. It is also very telling that such a large portion of the population got so fired up over something one of the main people involved in the situation had no issue with.

Instead, it should be celebrated what a step forward this year was for the women's game. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are true superstars, and each will be returning next season. The 9.9 million viewers made it the most-watched women's basketball game in history and more people tuned in for this matchup than the NBA All-Star game.

There are no hard feelings between the competitors, and there should not be by any else, either. The on-court performance and attention paid to it should be taken as a major accomplishment and the storylines should end at this, just as Caitlin Clark is making the case.

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