The coach has made some surprising comments

Dawn Staley has done a lot to protect Caitlin Clark during her first season in the WNBA but she still seems to hold Angel Reese in higher esteem.

Clark and Reese both arrived in the WNBA off the back of an intense NCAA campaign in which they were pitted against one another by the media.

Caitlin Clark blows up on referee for falling for flop by her opponentParker Johnson

That has continued into their first professional season, with Clark playing for the Fever and Reese representing the Chicago Sky.

Staley changes her tune

Staley was celebrating winning the second national championship in three years with the South Carolina Gamecocks last year when she said of Clark: “You are one of the GOATs of our game.

“I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport and it just is not gonna stop here on the collegiate tour. But when she is the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, she’s gonna lift that league up as well. So Caitlin Clark if you’re out there, you are one of the GOATs of our game. We appreciate you.”

However, in a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Staley showed that she actually ranks Reese higher than Clark at the moment.

She was asked who she thinks deserved to be the WNBA Rookie of the Year as it stands, and she was decisive in her answer: “At this time, today, it’s Angel. Without a doubt.”

This is a blow for Clark who is competing hard to win the award, and there is no doubt that both Reese and Clark would love to pip the other to the honor.