Angel Reese picks up first WNBA win vs. Caitlin Clark in custom Juneteenth sneakers

It doesn’t get any more heated of a rivalry in women’s sports than that of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Although it doesn’t seem to be rooted in anything personal, most casual watchers can see that these two women are devoted to competition, with Angel Reese in particular having a chip on her shoulder to one up her adversary. 

In just over a month and a half of the 2024 WNBA regular season, Reese and Clark’s teams have already squared off against each other on three different occasions. So far, Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever has defeated Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky in their previous two matchups. But in their third meeting on June 23, Angel Reese flipped the script on her opponent, with a thrilling comeback victory for the Chicago Sky. It was a breakout performance for Angel Reese, as she recorded an impressive double-double of 25 points and 16 rebounds. 

The win had to have been pretty sweet for Angel Reese, who had recently voiced her displeasure with what she perceives to be preferential treatment towards Caitlin Clark. But just as sweet as the Chicago Sky’s victory were the sneakers on the feet of Angel Reese as she showcased another custom pair of Reebok kicks courtesy of her go-to shoe guy Marvin Baroota.

Baroota is the lead footwear designer and artist at SoLegit Customs, working alongside several prominent athletes to curate exclusive sneakers. As we've covered before on Under the Laces, Reese has worn two other player-exclusive (PE) models made by Baroota for her showdowns with Caitlin Clark, with one being Barbie-themed and the other being a Joker-themed sneaker. This time around, the custom kicks took on a Juneteenth motif.

June 19th is a significant date in American history, marked by the annual celebration of a federal holiday known as Juneteenth National Independence Day. This commemoration honors the historic moment when the institution of slavery was finally abolished in the United States, bringing an end to the long and painful era of bondage and oppression for African Americans.

The sneakers boast a bold design, incorporating vibrant accents of red, yellow, and green - hues deeply rooted in Pan-African culture. The shoes also feature mismatched toe graphics that pay homage to the significance of Kwanzaa, a beloved holiday. Additional decorative elements include jewel-toned details scattered throughout, while a dynamic zig-zag pattern adds visual interest to the mudguard.

Angel Reese's latest custom sneakers commemorate Juneteenth, paying tribute to the significant cultural celebration.

In the final showdown of their 2024 WNBA regular season matchups, the two arch-rivals will clash on August 30th, broadcast live on ION TV for all to witness.