In a recent episode of her popular podcast, basketball legend Lisa Leslie took the opportunity to defend Caitlin Clark and offer a humbling critique of Angel Reese’s actions during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game. As one of the most respected voices in women’s basketball, Leslie’s words carry significant weight, and her analysis sparked a broader conversation about sportsmanship, rivalries, and respect in the world of collegiate athletics.

The controversy started during the final moments of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, which saw the LSU Tigers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. The game was an intense battle, with Caitlin Clark of Iowa putting on an impressive performance. However, it was a moment late in the game that ignited a storm on social media. After a dominating performance, LSU’s Angel Reese taunted Clark with a hand gesture, mocking her during the final seconds of the game. The move quickly became the subject of intense debate, with fans and analysts divided over whether Reese’s actions were part of the competitive spirit of sports or a display of unsportsmanlike conduct.

Lisa Leslie, who has long been an advocate for women’s basketball and one of its most iconic players, took to her podcast to defend Caitlin Clark. Leslie praised Clark’s incredible performance throughout the tournament and emphasized the need to acknowledge Clark’s status as one of the game’s best players. According to Leslie, Clark’s maturity and skill on the court should be celebrated, and the attention should remain on her athletic ability rather than the off-court drama.

“What Caitlin Clark did this season is nothing short of extraordinary,” Leslie stated on her podcast. “She’s a player who brought so much attention to the women’s game and played with an incredible amount of skill and passion. We have to appreciate her as a player and focus on what she’s accomplishing, not this side drama.”

Leslie also addressed the criticism Clark faced for her own taunting gestures during previous games, including her infamous “you can’t see me” move. Leslie made it clear that while trash-talking and on-court banter have always been part of the game, it is essential to recognize that Clark was engaging in such behavior as part of the game’s energy, and it was in no way out of line.

While defending Caitlin Clark, Leslie also addressed the actions of Angel Reese, who had been criticized by many for the taunting gestures aimed at Clark. While acknowledging Reese’s talent and contribution to LSU’s victory, Leslie used her platform to express her thoughts on how athletes should carry themselves, especially in high-stakes situations like a championship game.

“Angel Reese is an incredible talent, no question,” Leslie said. “But in those moments, you have to think about how you want to be remembered. We are all role models, whether we like it or not. It’s one thing to compete at the highest level, but we also have to carry ourselves with respect and class, especially when the whole world is watching.”

Leslie also pointed out that while competition often brings out intense emotions, it’s important for players to show respect to their opponents. She noted that a healthy rivalry should not devolve into personal attacks or unnecessary taunting. Instead, athletes should find ways to use their emotions to fuel their performance, rather than let them spiral into negativity.

“In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to get caught up in the emotions, but at the end of the day, the game is about respect—respect for yourself, respect for your teammates, and respect for your opponent,” Leslie explained.

Lisa Leslie’s remarks have prompted a larger discussion on the intersection of sportsmanship, gender, and the media’s portrayal of female athletes. Historically, women’s sports have been treated differently from their male counterparts, with much less attention paid to athletic feats and more focus placed on off-court drama. Leslie’s defense of Caitlin Clark and her critique of Angel Reese was a call to shift the focus back to the game and its merits.

In particular, Leslie emphasized that female athletes should not be held to different standards than their male counterparts. In men’s sports, trash-talking and on-court taunting are often seen as part of the competition, and Leslie argued that the same should apply to women.

“The way we view women’s sports is often influenced by societal expectations about how women should behave. We need to stop policing the way women play the game and focus on celebrating their excellence,” Leslie said. “If Angel Reese or Caitlin Clark were men, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. They would just be seen as competitors. Let’s elevate women’s basketball to the same level.”

As the dust settles from the championship game and the discussions around taunting and sportsmanship continue, Lisa Leslie’s words provide a valuable perspective. Her defense of Caitlin Clark and critique of Angel Reese were not about attacking anyone personally but rather about encouraging growth, respect, and maturity within the sport.

It’s clear that as women’s basketball continues to rise in popularity, it will also face the complexities that come with increased visibility. The hope is that conversations like these help foster a culture of respect, where athletes of all backgrounds and playing styles are recognized for their talent and contributions to the game, and not defined by their actions in the heat of the moment.

In the end, both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are talented individuals who are helping elevate women’s basketball to new heights. Lisa Leslie’s words serve as a reminder that while competition is fierce, the true spirit of the game lies in respect—for the sport, the players, and the fans.