By ERIC BLUM

Caitlin Clark showed off her exclusive Nike sneakers at a pregame press conference before Saturday’s game against the Chicago Sky in another brutal message to rival Angel Reese. 

Hours before Reese and Clark nearly came to blows during the third quarter of Saturday’s WNBA opener for both women, it was the reigning Rookie of the Year who flaunted her red and silver shoes. 

Clark wore them for a first time in a game, saving them for the tilt against Reese, while before, only using them behind closed doors. 

To present them in front of cameras for the first time, Clark stuck her leg up on the table where she sat behind while talking to the press.  

‘They’re custom, so you won’t get them,’ Clark said of her shoes. ‘I think they are the Rookie of the Year Kobe [Bryant] [Player Exclusives]. There’s a picture of that the Fever took after the season, when I had my trophy. I was in my red uniform, so that’s what they’re based off of.’

‘Nike designed them and they did well. I’ve been wearing them in practice but I take them off before [the press] get there. Sorry.’ 

Clark showed off her Nike sneakers at a pregame press conference before Saturday's game

Clark showed off her Nike sneakers at a pregame press conference before Saturday’s game

It was a few hours before Reese and Clark nearly came to blows during the third quarter

It was a few hours before Reese and Clark nearly came to blows during the third quarter

Clark and Reese met four times during their rookie WNBA seasons, with the Fever victorious three times.  

The duo have been linked dating back to their college days at Iowa and LSU, where they have been at the forefront in the rise in women’s basketball. 

Both Clark and Reese were named WNBA All-Stars last season and helped take down Team USA during their only loss last summer before they won a gold medal at the Olympics. 

It was during the LSU-Iowa national championship game in 2023 where Reese’s point at her ring finger in Clark’s face appeared to be the catalyst for the rise in popularity of women’s basketball. 

Now, the latest twist in their rivalry has set the tone for the WNBA season. 

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Caitlin Clark sends brutal message to Angel Reese with her sneakers as WNBA rivals face off

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