In the high-stakes world of women’s basketball, few storylines ignite as much passion as a classic rivalry turned alliance. Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, two towering forces in the paint, spent years locked in ferocious battles during their college careers—first as high school phenoms, then as SEC adversaries representing LSU and South Carolina. Reese, the brash, rebound-hungry forward from Baltimore with an unapologetic flair for the dramatic, and Cardoso, the stoic Brazilian center whose rim-rattling blocks and quiet dominance earned her a national championship ring, were the ultimate yin and yang.
Their matchups weren’t just games; they were grudge matches, filled with swatted shots, contested boards, and the kind of intensity that left fans breathless. But on April 15, 2024, during one of the most electric WNBA drafts in league history, fate flipped the script. Both were selected in the first round by the Chicago Sky—Reese at No. 7, Cardoso at No. 3—transforming sworn enemies into Sky siblings overnight.
The draft night buzz was palpable. As Reese’s name echoed through the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the 6-foot-3 forward didn’t mince words about her new running mate. “I’m just so excited I get to play with Kamilla,” she gushed to reporters, her signature confidence laced with genuine thrill. “I’ve been playing against her since high school.” It was a nod to their shared history, starting at the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals where they first traded elbows as wide-eyed freshmen.
Those early clashes set the tone for a decade of duels, including the bruising 2024 SEC Tournament final where Reese was called for an intentional foul after slapping Cardoso’s face—a moment that sparked memes, debates, and no small amount of trash talk. Yet, in the glow of draft euphoria, Reese saw only potential. “We’re going to be fighting over rebounds, I know that,” she joked later, her laugh cutting through the tension. “I love that though. Being able to go in and battle, being able to have a teammate where every day I know she’s going to work hard and do whatever it takes at the basket.”
Cardoso, ever the cool-headed counterpart at 6-foot-7, mirrored the sentiment with her trademark brevity and humor. Fresh off leading South Carolina to an undefeated national title—capping a perfect 38-0 season with a 87-75 victory over Iowa’s Caitlin Clark—she stepped into the WNBA spotlight with eyes on domination. “Two great players together, nobody’s going to get no rebounds on us,” she quipped during a post-draft presser, her Brazilian accent adding an extra layer of charm.
It was a bold proclamation, underscoring their complementary styles: Reese’s relentless energy and double-double machine (she’s already etched her name in WNBA lore with records like the fastest to 500 points and 500 rebounds), paired with Cardoso’s elite shot-blocking and international pedigree from representing Brazil. Their frontcourt union promised to overload the Sky’s paint, especially with veterans like Elizabeth Williams and Isabelle Harrison providing depth after a season of frontcourt woes.
Fast-forward to October 2025, and their partnership has evolved far beyond draft-night dreams. After a rollercoaster rookie year marked by Reese’s All-Star nod and Cardoso’s steady ascent amid international duties, the duo has silenced doubters who whispered about clashing egos. In a candid pre-game chat ahead of a Sky matchup against the Connecticut Sun, Reese addressed the elephant in the room—the media’s obsession with pitting them as perpetual rivals. “I hate that people always try to pit us against each other,” she vented, her voice steady but firm. “But we’re better together. We can do a lot of great things. We help each other and make each other better.”
Cardoso, fresh off a monster 22-point, 15-rebound outing, echoed the harmony in her understated way, posting fiery support on social media after Reese’s explosive games during Cardoso’s AmeriCup absence: “ANGEL M* REESE!!” Their bond isn’t just talk; it’s tangible on the court, where they’ve combined for jaw-dropping stat lines, like a recent double-double barrage that upset the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.
This isn’t just a feel-good tale—it’s a blueprint for the WNBA’s rising tide. Reese and Cardoso embody the league’s shift toward global stars and unfiltered personalities, drawing record viewership and sponsorships. Preseason games, like the Sky’s 89-62 thrashing of Brazil at LSU (where Cardoso faced her national teammates), highlighted their chemistry, with Reese calling it a “full-circle moment.” As the 2025 season unfolds, questions linger: Will they start together under coach Teresa Weatherspoon? Can they propel the Sky to playoffs after a rebuilding year? And amid Reese’s off-court empire-building (from fashion lines to advocacy), how will Cardoso’s quiet fire balance the spotlight?
One thing’s certain: From SEC skirmishes to WNBA warfare, Reese and Cardoso have proven that the best rivalries end in redemption. Their frontcourt fortress isn’t just about rebounds—it’s about rewriting the narrative, one dominant duo at a time. As Reese put it simply, “It’s literally just basketball. We’re just here to compete.” And compete they will, turning Chicago’s skyline into a launchpad for legends.
