Dan Dakich Rips Caitlin Clark for 'Gaslighting' Over Angel Reese Friendship Question
Radio host Dan Dakich is taking aim at Iowa native Caitlin Clark, accusing the Indiana Fever guard of gaslighting fans and media after she shut down a question about her relationship with Angel Reese. The criticism comes days after Clark helped Team USA win a fifth straight FIBA Women's World Cup gold.
Dakich, who hosts the show Don't @ Me, did not hold back during his latest segment. He said Clark has a history of being dishonest about her rivalry with Reese, a narrative that has followed both players since their college days at Iowa and LSU.
Dakich Accuses Clark of Lying to Media
During his radio show, Dakich blasted Clark for what he called a clear attempt to rewrite history. He said:
Well when little Katie, aka Caitlin Clark, speaks, we're all supposed to genuflect even when she tells us blatant lies. She and Angel Reese have been opponents for a long time. And at least from the side of Angel Reese, she has always, and we can see it clearly with our own eyes, been jealous or hateful, whatever you want to call it, Caitlin Clark. I mean, it's well documented... She stood up in front of the media when she was asked by Outkick about her relationship with Angel Reese. Little Katie Clark decided to try to gaslight us.
Dakich doubled down on his criticism by captioning the video of his remarks with the phrase, “Caitlin Clark lies!”
Clark's Response: 'We've Always Been Friends'
The controversy started after Team USA's 97-79 victory over France, when an OutKick reporter pressed Clark on whether she and Reese were “friends now.” During the World Cup, the two players showed surprising on-court chemistry, which seemed to contradict the bitter rivalry narrative that has followed them since their college days.
Clark shut down the question immediately, saying:
We've always been friends. Don't try to do that. Don't try to do that.
Reese, now with the Atlanta Dream, also praised Clark as a good friend throughout the tournament. Earlier in the week, Reese noted that the two know each other's tendencies perfectly after years of facing off on the court. The pair even posed together happily with the championship trophy after the win.
Iowa Connection: Clark's Mother Steals Spotlight
For Iowa fans, the drama surrounding Clark is nothing new. The former Hawkeyes star remains one of the most recognizable athletes to come out of the state, and her family continues to be a fixture at her games.
During the gold-medal game, cameras caught Clark's mother, Anne Nizzi-Clark, clapping and cheering in the stands with the score 37-42 and 1:32 left in the second quarter. The arena microphones did not catch her exact words, but her celebration came after veteran guard Chelsea Gray hit a clutch midrange jumper to halt a scoring run by France.
The video of her priceless reaction gave fans a brief break from the online drama surrounding her daughter. Gray finished with a solid 12 points and 5 assists, while Clark was highly efficient, making 4 of her 5 shots, including 2 of 3 from three-point range and both free throws.
What's Next for Clark?
It remains to be seen whether Clark will respond to Dakich's comments. For now, the Iowa native is enjoying a gold medal and the continued support of her home state, even as the debate over her relationship with Reese rages on.
Dakich's remarks have sparked fresh conversation among sports fans, many of whom are split on whether Clark's dismissal of the rivalry question was genuine or a calculated move to control the narrative.