INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 01: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky looks on against the Indiana Fever during the first quarter in the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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The WNBA and women’s basketball as a whole has surged in recent years in large part thanks to Indiana Fever rookie Catilin Clark, but former LSU star and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese believes she should be credited for the boom as well.

“The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person,” Reese said. “It’s because of me, too. I want y’all to realize that.”

Both Clark and Reese have been major factors in the rise of women’s basketball over the past two seasons. Reese spoke specifically about the 2023 NCAA women’s national championship game between LSU and Iowa, where she believes she took on the “bad guy” role.

“It all started with the national championship game, and I’ve been dealing with this for two years now.,” Reese said. “And understanding like, yeah negative things have probably been said about me, but honestly, I’ll take that, because look at where women’s basketball is. People are talking about women’s basketball that you never would think would talk about women’s basketball… Just because of one single game. Just looking at that, I’ll take that role. I’ll take the bad guy role.”

While Reese labeled herself as the “bad guy,” she’s certainly built up a loyal fanbase of her own just as Clark has. She’s amassed more than 3 million followers on Instagram and has been a driving force in drawing a larger audience for women’s basketball.

So far this season, six different networks have seen record viewership for WNBA games, per Front Office Sports’Ā David Rumsey. ESPN2, ABC and ESPN have already had games that drew more than 1.5 million viewers, while Ion, CBS and NBA TV have also had record-highs for views.

Clark is clearly one of the main reasons for that, but talented rookies like Reese, Cameron Brink and others have also helped the league’s growth.

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