LSU head coach Kim Mulkey took to Instagram to praise Angel Reese after the forward announced her decision to go pro, ending speculation about her future at LSU. Mulkey shared a collage of photos with Reese, acknowledging her achievements. “National Champion. Soon-to-be graduate of @LSU. Inspired countless individuals, young & old,” Mulkey wrote along with a green check emoji after each sentence.
“Keep growing the game @angelreese10. #ForeverLSU.”
The LSU women’s basketball Instagram account also thanked Reese for her contributions to the program, while Mulkey reposted an LSU highlight reel featuring Reese.
Announced that she’ll declare for the Draft
Reese joins a highly anticipated WNBA draft class alongside Caitlin Clark. Her announcement followed LSU’s elimination from the Elite Eight by Clark’s Iowa team, a game that set records for women’s college sports viewership. “I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,” Reese told Vogue. “I’ve won a national championship, I’ve gotten [Southeastern Conference] Player of the Year [in the 2023-24 season], I’ve been an All-American. “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 played a pivotal role in LSU’s 2023 national championship victory and, despite struggles, had impressive statistics in her final season, averaging 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game with 27 double-doubles in 33 games. “I don’t really get to stand up for myself,” she told the press conference after the game with Iowa.
“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 just because I try to ignore and I just try to stand strong … I would still sit here and say, ‘I’m unapologetically me.’ I’m going to always leave that mark and be who I am and stand on that. “The little girls that look up to me, hopefully, I give them some type of inspiration … Keep being who you are.”
