Angel Reese's pregame moment with Fever rookie quickly caught the WNBA's attention

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The rivalry between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream featured plenty of star power on Thursday night, but one of the most memorable moments happened before the opening tip. As players warmed up inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse ahead of Indiana's 83-71 victory, Angel Reese and Fever rookie Raven Johnson shared a brief interaction that immediately caught the attention of the WNBA.

The league itself highlighted the moment on social media, showcasing the embrace between two former SEC stars whose paths crossed numerous times during their college careers. For a few seconds, the competition was put aside as mutual respect took center stage.

Angel Reese and Raven Johnson reunite on a WNBA floor

Reese and Johnson know each other well from their days battling in the SEC. Reese became a national champion and Final Four Most Outstanding Player at LSU, helping lead the Tigers to the 2023 national title. Johnson built an equally impressive resume at South Carolina, where she was part of multiple championship-winning teams under Dawn Staley.

Their schools developed one of the fiercest rivalries in women's college basketball, creating countless memorable moments along the way. That's what made Thursday's interaction stand out.

Before the game, Reese and Johnson shared a hug and spent a few moments talking on the court. The WNBA later posted the clip online with a simple message celebrating their SEC roots.

MORE: Raven Johnson made an outfit statement Fever fans couldn't ignore before tipoff

College rivals, professional peers

The transition from college basketball to the WNBA can be challenging, but moments like these serve as a reminder that many of the league's newest stars grew up competing against one another.

While fans often focus on rivalries, players frequently develop friendships and respect through years of competition. Johnson's arrival in the WNBA adds another familiar face for Reese, who has now seen several former SEC opponents join the professional ranks.

Thursday offered another example of how those college connections continue long after graduation.

Fever get the last laugh on the scoreboard

The pregame reunion may have been one of the night's feel-good moments, but once the game started, both players shifted their focus to winning. Reese delivered another strong performance for Atlanta, recording 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks for her latest double-double.

Indiana, however, controlled much of the second half. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 25 points, while Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston helped power Indiana to an important Commissioner's Cup victory. Johnson contributed five points, three assists, two rebounds and active defense off the bench.

The rookie's impact extended beyond the box score, as she finished another productive outing in Indiana's rotation.

A matchup fans will keep watching

Thursday marked only the first meeting of the season between Johnson and Reese. There are still three more Fever-Dream matchups remaining on the schedule, giving fans plenty of opportunities to watch two of women's basketball's most recognizable programs reconnect on the professional stage.

If Thursday was any indication, those meetings will feature both fierce competition and mutual respect. And before the action even started, Reese and Johnson gave fans a reminder of exactly that.

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