SUMMARY
- Angel Reese and the LSU Tigers faced a gruesome loss against Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes.
- Following the Elite Eight elimination, Reese broke down in front of the media stating her battle with online harassment.
It has been a tough battle for Angel Reese since winning the National Championship last year. In 2023, she led the LSU Tigers to the NCAA Finals against the Iowa Hawkeyes. After holding up the trophy, Reese returned to face many struggles this season. Recently, LSU took on their foes from the 2023 Champion game. But they were handed over a major loss, which was not what Reese’s squad hoped for.
Angel Reese’s resume hangs with some of the best:
-NCAA champ & MOP
-SEC POY
-3x First-team All-Conference
-3x All-Defensive TeamMade her mark 🙌 pic.twitter.com/55wjZPeMCH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 2, 2024
Caitlin Clark dominated the floor against LSU finishing with 41 points and a record-breaking 9 three-pointers. The Tigers came into this game with barely any depth in their bench lineup. They had a total of seven players available on the roster. Reese jumped in and had a great impact finishing with 17 points, 20 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Unfortunately, she was fouled out during the fourth quarter while LSU trailed behind Iowa.
Angel Reese opens up about her personal struggles throughout the season
Earlier this season, Angel Reese took some time away from basketball. Her absence from the floor came with limited indications. Some assumed she was going through a slump considering how she underperformed in games leading up to her brief exit. And there were multiple other theories behind her absence. The Tigers’ head coach Kim Mulkey did not reveal much but kept the truth from the limelight.
After losing against Iowa, Reese said, “I just try to stay strong. Like I’ve been through so much. I’ve seen so much, I’ve been attacked so many times. Death threats, I’ve been se*ualized, I’ve been threatened. So many things and I’ve stood strong every single time.” She added, “All this has happened since I won the national championship and I said the other day, I haven’t been happy since then. And it sucks but I wouldn’t change anything. And would still sit here and say I’m unapologetically me.”
“I just try to stay strong… I’ve been attacked so many times — Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened. I’m still human. Since I won the national championship I haven’t been happy since then.”
– Angel Reese
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 2, 2024
Reese has been the centerpiece of criticism for a very long time. Some question her intentions while others believe she isn’t cut out for what she’s achieved thus far. But the former NCAA Champion shared some words of upliftment to her fans. Even Flau’Jae Johnson defended Reese from the criticism she has received since last year.
Angel Reese hasn’t decided on competing professionally
It was a hard-fought run that the Tigers made this season. Angel Reese led the team averaging 18.7 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists with 1.9 steals per game. While these numbers weren’t her best, she still led the team in scoring. Reese is currently in her senior year in college. And she played what may have been her final game in college against the Hawkeyes.
As per the WNBA, athletes who conclude their collegiate season have 48 hours to either forfeit their remaining years or continue playing in college. This rule is limited to only players who compete in the Elite Eight or beyond. Reese is yet to make a decision and claims she will make one when she is ready. Reese is also eligible to play for another year at either LSU or another institution due to the pandemic.