Former LSU standout Shaquille O’Neal was in the house for LSU’s Senior Day to walk out his protege, Angel Reese, on what may have been her final regular season game in Baton Rouge. Playing the role of Reese’s father figure, the gentle giant went for a the customary handshake with LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey. Things got weird when the 61-year-old gave Diesel way more than he bargained for.
Shaq walked out alongside Reese during the Senior Day ceremony, which took place at halftime of the Tigers’ resounding 77-56 win over Kentucky. He lumbered toward Mulkey and stuck out his right hand for a traditional handshake. However, the LSU general showed that she can keep it cool and casual with the kids, going for the “dap” handshake that O’Neal definitely wasn’t expecting. The two shared a quick exchange before posing for pictures with Reese
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“He’s always very kind to me, he’s very attentive,” Mulkey said of O’Neal after the game. “He’s a basketball person, this is his school. LSU is Shaq’s school.”
Shaq is a father figure to Angel Reese
The longtime NBA star has taken Reese under his wing during her time in Baton Rouge. His appearance on Senior Day, usually reserved for family members, proves just how close the pair of dominant LSU centers has become. “He’s super inspiring to me. He’s so genuine, he’s been there for me through tough times,” Reese said in an interview with USA Today. “He doesn’t care about me as a player, he cares about me as a person.”
O’Neal used his role at the company to make Angel Reese Reebok’s first major NIL athlete. He showed support at Senior Day in a shirt that said “Bayou Barbie is my favorite senior” written on the back, also worn by Reese’s mom at the ceremony.
LSU fans beg Reese, Van Lith for one more year
The only two seniors being celebrated by LSU on Sunday were Reese and Hailey Van Lith. Both could return next season thanks to the extra year of eligibility given to all NCAA student athletes because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crowd at Pete Maravich Assembly Center was heard chanting “One more year!” at the conclusion of the ceremonies. Both Reese and Van Lith have stated they will wait until the end of the college season to announce whether they will declare for the WNBA draft or return to LSU.
Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith reflect on Senior Day
“It feels great, long four years…it’s been crazy and amazing.” – Angel Reese
“Everyone made it a special night that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.” – Hailey Van Lith#LSU
— Tyler Harden (@ttjharden8) March 3, 2024
Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark, who lost to Reese and the Tigers in last year’s NCAA championship game, announced this week that she will enter the 2024 WNBA Draft. Like the LSU senior duo, she had an extra year in college on the table if she wanted it. Clark’s announcement allowed her Senior Day to feel more final with her future out in the open. She marked her final home game by breaking Maravich’s all-time NCAA scoring record.
