During her illustrious collegiate career at LSU, Angel Reese found herself engaged in a heated rivalry with none other than South Carolina’s formidable forward, Kamilla Cardoso. Their battles on the court were the stuff of legend, reaching a climax when Cardoso’s Gamecocks emerged victorious over Reese’s Tigers in the fiercely contested SEC Tournament title game. Yet, this defeat only fueled Reese’s determination to excel further, propelling her team forward into the NCAA Tournament.

In a twist of fate, Reese and Cardoso now find themselves on the same side, both donning the jersey of the Chicago Sky in the WNBA. The 2024 WNBA Draft saw Cardoso selected as the No. 3 overall pick, closely followed by Reese at the No. 7 spot, marking the beginning of a new chapter where erstwhile rivals become allies on the court.

Despite their history of intense competition, Reese holds no grudges against her former adversary. To her, the rivalry was simply a natural part of the game, a testament to their shared passion and commitment to excellence. “It’s literally just basketball,” Reese emphasized. “We’re just here to compete. Me and Kamilla competed hard all these years. Everybody has known that. But we’re just competitors, and that’s just what we do.”

Their journey from adversaries to teammates serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of sport, where fierce competitors can set aside their differences and unite in pursuit of a common goal. As they embark on this new chapter together, Reese and Cardoso carry with them the lessons learned from their rivalry, ready to write a new story of triumph and camaraderie on the courts of the WNBA.