Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has expanded his sporting horizons beyond the football field, demonstrating his appreciation for athletic excellence across multiple disciplines. The NFL legend, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in professional football history, recently participated in a phone interview with Bleacher Report where he was asked to name his personal sports Mount Rushmore.
An Unconventional Mount Rushmore Selection
In a surprising departure from the traditional four-person Mount Rushmore format, Brady named eleven exceptional athletes who have captured his admiration and respect. Among these distinguished selections were WNBA rising stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, whose impact on women’s basketball has been nothing short of revolutionary since their professional debuts in 2024.
“Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, the little things they’re doing, I really love that,” Brady expressed during the interview, highlighting his genuine appreciation for their contributions to the sport. The quarterback’s endorsement carries significant weight given his own legendary status and his ability to recognize exceptional talent across different athletic disciplines.
The Dynamic Duo That Transformed Women’s Basketball
Clark and Reese have fundamentally transformed the landscape of women’s professional basketball, bringing unprecedented mainstream attention and commercial value to the WNBA throughout their inaugural professional season. Their rivalry, which began during their college careers, has continued to captivate audiences and generate substantial media coverage, elevating the profile of women’s basketball to new heights.
The two players’ initial professional encounter early in the 2024 season became a defining moment when Clark committed a flagrant foul against Reese, resulting in an intense reaction from the Chicago Sky forward. This incident sparked days of social media discussion and commentary, demonstrating the passionate fan engagement that both players have generated for the league.
Elite Company in Brady’s Athletic Pantheon
Brady’s comprehensive Mount Rushmore list included other legendary figures such as Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan, Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani, golf legend Tiger Woods, and Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps. The inclusion of Clark and Reese alongside these established sports legends speaks to the immediate and profound impact they have made on professional athletics.
The recognition from Brady represents more than just celebrity endorsement; it acknowledges the measurable influence these young athletes have had on their sport’s growth, viewership, and cultural relevance. Their presence in professional basketball has attracted new audiences and generated discussions about women’s sports that extend far beyond traditional basketball circles.
Commissioner Cup Competition and Current Challenges
The rivalry between Clark and Reese will continue to unfold during the WNBA Commissioner Cup, a mid-season tournament featuring regular season games that count toward the special competition format. This tournament structure includes sixty games across all twelve WNBA teams, culminating in a championship game between the top teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences, with the winning team receiving a substantial prize of $500,000.
However, Clark’s participation in the upcoming Fever versus Sky matchup remains uncertain due to her ongoing recovery from a quadriceps strain injury sustained during a game against the New York Liberty in May. When asked about Clark’s status, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White remained diplomatically silent, stating simply, “No. Not yet. Sorry,” when pressed for updates about her star player’s condition.
Impact on Team Performance and League Dynamics
Clark’s absence has significantly affected the Indiana Fever’s recent performance, as the team struggled through a three-game losing streak immediately following her injury before finally securing a victory against the Washington Mystics. Meanwhile, the Chicago Sky, despite starting the season with a disappointing 0-4 record, has shown marked improvement with consecutive victories over the Dallas Wings, suggesting that Reese’s influence continues to grow within her team’s system.
The contrast in team trajectories highlights how both players have become integral to their respective franchises’ success and identity. Indiana’s dominance in their first meeting this season, winning 93-58, demonstrated the competitive disparity that can exist when both players are healthy and available, making their upcoming encounters even more compelling for basketball enthusiasts.
Historical Significance and Future Implications
Both Clark and Reese have already begun establishing themselves as record-breaking performers in WNBA history, with Reese particularly notable for breaking multiple league records during her rookie season despite her team’s early struggles. Their inclusion in Brady’s Mount Rushmore, while perhaps premature by traditional standards, reflects the immediate and transformative impact they have had on professional women’s basketball.
The recognition from one of America’s most successful professional athletes suggests that Clark and Reese have transcended their sport to become cultural figures whose influence extends beyond basketball courts into broader conversations about athletic excellence, competition, and the evolving landscape of professional sports entertainment in the modern era.