It was an emotional Angel Reese who spoke following LSU’s loss to a Iowa in the Elite Eight in Albany.
"All this happened since I won a National Championship, and I said the other day, I haven’t been happy since then," said Reese, a larger-than-life figure in women’s basketball who had seemed immune to all of the accompanying noise of competition.
But she tore off some of that armor for a few minutes after Monday night's loss to Iowa, and let her vulnerability show through as she revealed the battle that has been the past year for her.
After declaring she has not felt happy, Reese was quick to counter any thought of a "poor me" attitude to say that despite her unhappiness, she wouldn’t change anything.
You see things on social media or read them in the paper, but don’t realize how it’s not all fun and games. Words pierced the soul of the once-unbreakable Angel Reese. As she spoke, you knew you were hearing something she’s bottled up for an entire year come rushing out like a river when a dam breaks.
"I don’t really get to stand up for myself," she said. "I have great teammates. I have a great support system. I’ve got my hometown. I’ve got my family that stands up for me. I don’t really get to speak out on things because I just ignore. I just try to stand strong. I’ve been through so much. I’ve seen so much. I’ve been attacked so many times, death threats, I’ve been sexualized. I’ve been threatened. I’ve been so many things, and I’ve stood strong every single time."
This was Angel Reese’s last moment in a college game. Reese fouled out of the Elite Game, but got a big hug from Kim Mulkey and Flau’Jae Johnson. Said she told Johnson she had to take over. Reese announced she’s declaring for the WNBA Draft. College game is losing a great player. pic.twitter.com/nbrIMEDGI4
— Marisa Jacques (@MarisaJacquesTV) April 3, 2024
I think everyone in that post-game news conference was taken aback and then Reese said three words that can seem cliche, but in this instance they were so powerful: "I’m still human."
Reese has decided to not return to LSU and instead turn pro. You have to assume the past year has played a big role.
I saw the same thing you did one year ago. Angel Reese doing the "you can’t see me" at Caitlin Clark, pointing to her ring finger. I didn’t like it either. I didn’t hate her for it. I just didn’t like it.
I’ve watched Reese play. I know she’s an exceptional athlete. I’ve heard her interviews, watched her again throughout this season. So, when it was announced that LSU could be coming to Albany, I hoped for them to get through the first two rounds so I could witness “the show” myself.
Despite having a general feeling about the on-court antics, I figured I’d better not judge a book by its cover. Immediately, it was exactly what my grandmother used to say, “believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.”
I watched a player answer every question honestly and with heart. I watched her look directly at the person asking the question with so much emotion and attention. In the locker room, it was a young woman so excited to be in the position she is, playing basketball and inspiring young kids. She was so animated during her interview, she accidentally hit our microphone with her hand and kept apologizing to us. No Angel, we have microphones in your face. You don’t need to apologize.
I saw a hero in the eyes of many little girls, taking pictures with fans and signing autographs. One mother described it as an amazing moment for her daughters as Angel not only took a picture with them, but asked them about their young basketball careers.
This was Angel Reese’s last moment in a college game. Reese fouled out of the Elite Game, but got a big hug from Kim Mulkey and Flau’Jae Johnson. Said she told Johnson she had to take over. Reese announced she’s declaring for the WNBA Draft. College game is losing a great player.
I watched a leader enjoying her time with her teammates. I watched the face of a program foul out of what could be her final college game ever. There were no tears, no arguing with the refs. Instead, she grabbed her teammate Flau’Jae Johnson to talk her up and tell her she had to take over.
Does she get fiery in games and talk some trash? Sure, but it’s half the reason she’s so damn fun to watch. Reese said it herself this weekend. “Once I get between those lines, there’s no friends. We’re not buddies. I’m going to trash talk you. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get in your head the whole entire game. But after the game, we can kick it. I don’t think people realize that.”
Reese was also quick to point out that she and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other. Maybe a long weekend of covering a player isn’t a huge chunk of time, but that is 100% the Angel Reese I saw.
Reese knows what you probably think. She’s read the articles and even said herself this weekend, 'it’s fine if I have to be the villain. I don’t care, that’s what I will be.'
This past week, I saw nothing but an incredible athlete who plays with a fire and passion. Some don’t understand. Off the court, I saw a softer Angel Reese who understands her role in the growth of women’s basketball and her impact on the generations to come. What you thought of Angel Reese probably isn’t who she is. If anyone reads this and changes their mind about Reese, I will feel good about telling you the things you didn’t get to see this weekend.
I wish Reese decided to return to LSU for one year, not because she owes the game anything, but because the game, the fans, the nay-sayers owe her. She’s been turned into “the bad guy.” For what? Pointing at her ring finger on national TV? Because of that, 12 million Americans tuned into the see the rematch, played in Albany's MVP Arena.