Caitlin Clark ... that's why Angel Reese is famous, according to Jason Whitlock who says the LSU hooper only got big 'cause she taunted the Iowa superstar -- no more, no less.
The polarizing columnist and host shared his harsh opinion after Reese -- the SEC Player of the Year -- and the Tigers lost to the Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight of the Women's NCAA tournament on Monday.
Clark was unstoppable ... leading all scoring with 41 points. Reese put up her 27th double-double of the season (17 points and 20 rebounds) ... but that didn't change JW's opinion.
"We can officially quit putting Angel Reese on Caitlin Clark's level," the 56-year-old said. "Stop it."
"One is an all-time great player. The other got famous for taunting. The rivalry is dead."
Of course, Whitlock is referencing to last tourney's memorable moment ... when Angel mocked Caitlin during the title game, which LSU won, 102-85.
AR also used John Cena's famous "You Can't See Me" hand gesture ... something Clark had previously employed.
Reese became a big star after the calendar flipped on March Madness ... and has since been everywhere, including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
But, it's clearly taken a toll on her. Following the end of LSU's season last night, Reese talked about some of the struggles since becoming famous.
If it wasn’t “classless” when Caitlin Clark did it, don’t call it classless when Angel Reese does it. Let the women compete, it’s sports!! pic.twitter.com/lJpS1NId68
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) April 2, 2023
As for Clark, she's in the process of collecting just about every record that exists ... but she hasn't won a title (yet).
She may soon have that shot, though ... assuming the Hawkeyes can get past Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies in the Final Four on Friday.