Dave Portnoy makes shock U-turn on Caitlin Clark's 'brilliant' rival Angel Reese

Dave Portnoy has begrudgingly offered some praise to Angel Reese for her new marketing campaign, as he called the Chicago Sky star 'brilliant' on Saturday.

Reese, who is leading the WNBA in offensive rebounds per game, has been routinely mocked for her propensity to grab her own misses at the rim. The term 'mebounds' spread across social media, and Reese decided to trademark the phrase last month.

Reebok announced on Saturday that the company is set to release the 'Angel Reese 1 Mebounds', and even Portnoy - who is decidedly on the side of Caitlin Clark in her rivalry with Reese - had to credit Reese for her sharp thinking.

'I hate (sports sense) Angel Reese. Hate her,' Portnoy began on X.

'That's how much it pains me to admit how brilliant it was for her team to trademark Mebounds and make it her thing. Brilliant. I hate how brilliant it is.'

While the phrase was used by some to denigrate Reese, the two-time All-Star made a TikTok last month to express her affinity for it.

'Whoever came up with the 'mebounds' thing. Y'all ate that up... anything that comes off that board, it's mine!!', she said.

Reese has also begun selling 'Mebounds' apparel on her website.

The second-year player has made significant strides in her second season, improving her field goal percentage from 39.1 percent to 44.6 percent and doubling her assists average from 1.9 to 3.8 per game.

She set the single-season record for offensive rebounds in her rookie season and is on pace to lead the league once again, as she's averaging a league-leading 3.8 per night. She also leads the league in total rebounds per contest with 12.6.

However, her Sky look set to miss the postseason again as they're just 7-15 thus far.

Reese, who has competed against Clark since their days in college, clashed with the former Iowa star earlier this season after a hard foul from the Fever guard. 

During a fiery season opener between Indiana and Chicago, Clark slapped the Sky forward across the arm after she grabbed an offensive rebound, sending her tumbling to the floor midway through the third quarter.

Reese was left incensed by the push, leaping back to her feet and making a beeline for the Fever star before her teammates quickly intervened.

The pair played together during the All-Star Game last year and have sung each other's praises, though tensions boiled over during that aforementioned moment in the season opener and Clark received a flagrant foul.

Clark told ESPN that there was 'nothing malicious' about the play during an in-game interview, a sentiment which Reese shared after the game.

Reese and Clark were both named All-Stars in their sophomore campaigns, though Clark will not suit up in the game due to a groin problem.

Reese will suit up for the team captained by Napheesa Collier on Saturday night.