Iowa's Caitlin Clark says only LSU should visit White House

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark said LSU forward Angel Reese doesn't deserve criticism for any actions from Sunday's women's basketball national championship game and that only the Tigers should visit the White House because «that's for LSU.»

Clark, appearing on SportsCenter on Tuesday after being announced as the winner of the Wooden Award, was asked by ESPN's Jeremy Schaap about the controversy surrounding Reese making a «you can't see me» gesture and pointing to her ring finger during the closing moments of the championship game, all of it seemingly directed at Clark.

«I don't think Angel should be criticized at all,» said Clark, who had made the same gesture in the regional final. «I'm just one that competes, and she competed. I think everybody knew there was gonna be a little trash talk in the entire tournament. It's not just me and Angel.

»We're all competitive. We all show our emotions in a different way. You know, Angel is a tremendous, tremendous player. I have nothing but respect for her. I love her game — the way she rebounds the ball, scores the ball is absolutely incredible. I'm a big fan of her and even the entire LSU team. They played an amazing game."

Clark, who swept the national player of the year awards, and the Hawkeyes lost to LSU 102-85 in the NCAA championship game on Sunday in Dallas.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who attended Sunday's title game, on Monday said «I know we'll have the champions come to the White House» before saying «Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.»

Reese took to social media to post a link to the story with Biden's suggestion that both teams visit the White House along with the comment, «A JOKE» and three laughing emojis.

Biden's press secretary on Tuesday