Stephen A. Smith Shuts Down Angel Reese’s Michael Jordan Comparison: “She’s Not Caitlin Clark”

In a fiery segment that’s now making headlines, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took direct aim at WNBA rookie Angel Reese following recent talk that she might be the next Michael Jordan of women’s basketball. Smith didn’t mince words—he dismissed the comparison outright, and in doing so, reignited the ongoing debate about Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the media narratives surrounding them.

Speaking on The Stephen A. Smith Show, the outspoken commentator said plainly, “She’s not Caitlin Clark,” referencing the Indiana Fever superstar who’s been the face of the league’s surge in popularity this season. Smith acknowledged Reese’s growing fan base and athletic ability but made it clear: calling her the next Michael Jordan is a step too far.

“Angel Reese is talented. She’s tough. She brings energy and grit. But let’s not get carried away,” Smith said. “Michael Jordan? Let’s be real. She’s not even the biggest star in her own rookie class.”

The comment came after Reese appeared in a viral interview suggesting she saw herself as a transcendent figure in the sport, drawing comparisons to some of basketball’s greatest. But Smith wasn’t having it, and instead emphasized how Caitlin Clark’s influence—not just on the court, but across ticket sales, ratings, and fan engagement—has redefined what it means to be a rookie in the WNBA.

“Caitlin Clark fills arenas. She’s pushing the league to places it hasn’t been before,” Smith continued. “Angel Reese brings drama. Caitlin brings results.”

Though blunt, Smith’s critique wasn’t entirely dismissive. He praised Reese for her rebounding dominance—highlighting her historic streak of three consecutive games with 20 or more rebounds—and acknowledged that she’s quickly become a critical part of the Chicago Sky’s identity. But again, he circled back to the comparison at hand.

“Angel Reese is doing her thing,” he said. “But don’t confuse popularity with greatness. Caitlin Clark is a basketball prodigy. She’s Steph Curry with a step-back. She sees the game on a different level.”

Smith’s comments reflect a growing divide among fans and analysts over how the two rookie stars are framed. While Reese brings intensity and edge, Clark is praised for her poise and playmaking. Still, some believe the media fuels unnecessary rivalry between them—something Smith himself has warned against in the past. He has publicly denounced the racial undertones in the Clark-Reese discourse and called for both players to be celebrated without pitting them against each other unfairly.

Even so, the message from Smith this week was clear: confidence is good, but self-awareness matters. And when it comes to greatness, comparisons to Michael Jordan should be earned—not claimed.

As the WNBA season heads into its final stretch, both Reese and Clark continue to shape the future of the league. But for now, in Stephen A. Smith’s eyes, the crown belongs to Clark—and Reese still has something to prove.