Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese spark Kelsey Mitchell’s ‘You can’t gatekeep’ warning over WNBA’s changing landscape | International Sports News
Kelsey Mitchell has made her view on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese clear: the WNBA should welcome young stars instead of trying to keep them out. The Indiana Fever veteran said Clark and Reese have helped open new doors for women’s basketball and brought more attention to the league. Mitchell, who has played alongside Clark since the Fever drafted her in 2024, spoke about the pair in her recent SLAM cover story. Her comments come as the WNBA continues to see strong interest around its biggest young names, with Clark and Reese playing a major part in that wider conversation.
Kelsey Mitchell explains Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese impact
Clark and Reese entered the WNBA in 2024 after being two of the biggest names in college basketball. Their rivalry from college followed them into the league, and games involving the two quickly became major draws.The numbers from that season showed just how much interest the WNBA was getting. According to the WNBA, the league recorded its highest total attendance in 22 years in 2024, with 2,353,735 fans attending games. Total attendance was up 48% from the previous season, while the league recorded 154 sellouts.Mitchell sees that growth as something the league should embrace. Rather than treating new stars as a threat to established players, she believes their arrival can create more opportunities for everyone involved in women’s basketball.“You can’t gatekeep,” Mitchell said. “It would only pigeonhole our game. When Angel Reese and CC came in … it opened up so many doors for us.”The comments were made in Mitchell’s interview with SLAM, where she discussed the changing WNBA and the effect of a new group of young players. SLAM also shared a clip of Mitchell discussing her views on the league’s growth.
Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell have built Fever partnership
Mitchell has had a close view of Clark’s WNBA career from the beginning. The two have been teammates in Indiana since Clark arrived as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. By 2026, both had become All-Stars, with Mitchell selected as a 2026 All-Star starter alongside Clark.Their partnership has also become an important part of the Fever’s offense. In August 2026, the pair both scored more than 20 points in several games, while Mitchell continued to set new marks during a strong individual season. The Fever’s own coverage has regularly highlighted the two guards working together on the court.At the same time, Clark and Reese remain linked through the rivalry that began before they entered the WNBA. Reese now plays for the Atlanta Dream, while Clark continues to lead the Fever alongside Mitchell. The league has continued to feature their matchups as part of its growing rivalries.For Mitchell, the bigger point is just the attention around players such as Clark and Reese can help bring more people to women’s basketball. Her message is not about choosing one generation over another. She is arguing that the WNBA can make room for new stars while still respecting the players who helped build the league.
