Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark’s simple advice to Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese during WNBA All-Star warmups showed her power to inspire even her biggest counterparts

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese played on the same team for the first time at the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game(Image: Getty Images)

When Caitlin Clark was named a captain for the 2025 WNBA All‑Star Game, her selection showed how much she has transformed the game — yet it was a moment off the stat sheet with rival Angel Reese that spoke volumes.

During an ‘All The Smoke’ podcast appearance, basketball legend Cheryl Miller shared how Clark, who has been sidelined for two games with a groin injury, quietly offered Reese one simple, powerful piece of advice: “Just fly, just fly, just fly.”

That two-word mantra — “just fly” — was Clark’s rallying cry as the fierce former college rivals warmed up together before the 2024 All‑Star Game. “Watching them practice,” Miller recalled, “Angel and her got along so well and… Caitlin is like, ‘Just fly, just fly, just fly.’”

Despite a fierce tussle in their last matchup, Clark’s words revealed trust and encouragement, highlighting the respect between the two rivals.

Miller was especially struck by how natural their chemistry seemed.

“I was pleased and proud to see the narrative [about Clark and Reese] wasn’t the truth,” she said. “Ain’t no animosity… And seeing them interact off the court and [at] shoot around and everything else, it was fun.”

Her message was clear: Clark and Reese were rivals, yes, but not enemies.

That evolution speaks volumes about their journey. From their intense NCAA Championship showdown in 2023 — when Reese’s LSU vanquished Clark’s Iowa on national television — to their overlapping careers in the WNBA — Clark with the Indiana Fever, Reese with the Chicago Sky — the pair have helped fuel growing interest in women’s basketball.

Clark reflected on that past, acknowledging the competitive tension but framing it respectfully: “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another. Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me.”

Reese echoed the sentiment. While she’s embraced her on-court persona, she’s also embraced the positive impact of their shared rivalry: “I think we’re two great competitors. We brought a lot of fans to this league. And I think we’re going to continue to do that.”

The “just fly” mantra perfectly encapsulates that dynamic. Clark has used her influence not to dominate the narrative but to uplift a fellow star. It wasn’t about showcasing her own talent — it was about helping Reese get into rhythm, get aggressive in transition, and trust her own game.

Miller noted that Clark’s court vision “was better than I thought… defensively a lot better than I thought and I gave her credit for it.”

Clark’s leadership extends beyond the locker room. She shattered All‑Star voting records — earning over 1.29 million votes — and will co‑captain the 2025 All‑Star Game alongside Napheesa Collier.

Miller praised Clark’s confidence as rooted in talent. “She’s cocky for a good reason,” Miller affirmed. “And I love that about her.”