Angel Reese is set to replace the “Bayou Barbie” moniker!
LSU basketball star Angel Reese has left school for the WNBA. Reese is looking to take her game to the next level. With Louisiana State University eliminated from the women’s NCAA Tournament, the star forward announced her move to the WNBA draft.
Reese posted the announcement on Instagram, and her decision was also detailed in a story in Vogue. “I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,” the 21-year-old tells the outlet. “I’ve won a national championship, I’ve gotten Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, I’ve been an All-American.”
She added, “My ultimate goal is to be a pro and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready.” Reese and the LSU Tigers’ season ended with a 94-87 loss to Iowa in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament’s Elite Eight.
Angel Reese Parts With LSU
Reese’s career with the LSU Tigers ended in the Elite Eight of this year’s NCAA Tournament. The end came after a loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa that drew 12.3 million viewers on ESPN.
On Monday, April 15, the Sky took Reese No. 7 overall in the draft. She said she’s excited to play for new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who played under then-assistant coach Kim Mulkey—now the coach at LSU—in the 1980s at Louisiana Tech.
Reese’s Wins
The junior was a first-team All-American this season, averaging 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game, and was named SEC Player of the Year, in addition to three All-American selections.
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Reese became a national sensation thanks to her “Bayou Barbie” persona, but her bold nature led to what some have seen as racialized backlash from the public. Now, Reese wants to make her mark on a larger playing field.
Angel Reese Reflected on Her Previous Seasons
During an emotional post-game press conference, Angel Reese reflected on her tumultuous two seasons with LSU. “I don’t get to stand up for myself. I have great teammates, I have a great support system, I got my hometown, I got my family that stands up for me,” she said.
“Also, I don’t get to speak out on things just because I just try to ignore them. Then, I just try to stand strong.”
Reese Spoke About the Challenges She Felt
“I’ve been through so much; I’ve seen so much. I’ve been attacked so many times,” Angel Reese said. “Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened with so many things, and I’ve stood strong every single time.”
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“I haven’t known a day of peace since the national championship. And it sucks,” she candidly shared. “But I still wouldn’t change. I wouldn’t change anything.” She added, “My ultimate goal is to be a pro and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready.”
Angel Reese’s Iconic Win Against Iowa
A year ago, Angel Reese and LSU won the program’s first women’s basketball national championship, upending Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes in the final, 102-85. Reese, named last year’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player, famously waved her hand in front of her face toward Clark and then pointed to her ring finger as LSU closed in on the national title.
The move stirred debate about trash-talking’s place in the game and garnered much publicity. Clark and Iowa avenged last year’s loss, beating Reese and LSU 94-87 to advance to the Final Four of the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season.
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Her Final Game
In Reese’s final collegiate game, despite rolling her ankle in the second quarter, she had 17 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals before fouling out with 1:45 left.
It was Reese’s 10th consecutive double-double in the NCAA tournament, tying the tournament record. In 33 games this season, she averaged 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds. Reese, who turns 22 in May 2024, spent her first two college seasons at Maryland before transferring to LSU.
After the game, Clark and Reese shared a moment in the handshake line. “Clark just told me, ‘Continue to be a great player,’ and I told her to continue to be a great player as well, and keep elevating the game and go win it,” Reese said to reporters.
When LSU won the national title in 2023, 9.9 million viewers tuned in, making it the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history at the time. Monday’s much-anticipated rematch shattered those numbers, with 12.3 million viewers, peaking at 16.1 million.
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