Iowa's Caitlin Clark: Don’t criticize LSU's Angel Reese for gesture

NEW YORK (AP) — Iowa standout Caitlin Clarksaid there’s no reason for LSU’s Angel Reese to be criticized onsocial media for waving her hand in front of her face while staringdown Clark during the women’s NCAA championship game.

Clark, The Associated Press Player of the Year, made a similargesture to no one in particular during Iowa’s victory overLouisville in the Elite Eight.

“I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all. No matterwhich way it goes, she should never be criticized for what she did.I’m just one that competes — and she competed,” Clark said Tuesdayon ESPN’s “Outside the Lines, ” adding: “I think everybody knewthere was going to be a little bit of trash talk in the entiretournament. It’s not just me and Angel.”

Reese, who was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player,waved her hand in front of her face as if to say “you can’t see me”while staring down Clark in the final moments of LSU’s 102-85 winon Sunday, then pointed toward a finger as if to indicate a ringwas coming.

Social media was divided on Reese’s gesture, with some saying itwas just part of the game and others saying Reese lacked grace invictory. Reese, who also made what appeared to be a “you’re toosmall” gesture several times after scoring in a 79-72 semifinalsvictory over Virginia Tech, was unapologetic Sunday night.

“All year, I was critiqued about who I was,” said Reese, who isBlack; Clark is white. “I don’t fit in a box that y’all want me tobe in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. But when other people do it,y’all say nothing. So this was for the girls that look like me,that’s going to speak up on what they believe in. It’sunapologetically you.”

Clark was asked on ESPN whether there was a difference in howpeople think women’s players should act compared with men’s.