LSU’s Angel Reese is not with the team after being benched earlier in the week
Just three days after being benched in the second half, Angel Reese wasn’t with LSU in their win over Southeast Louisiana on Friday.
Reese did not play the final 20 minutes of the defending champions’ game against Kent State, which was a 109-79 victory. She had 11 points and five rebounds in 13 minutes.
Head coach Kim Mulkey called Tuesday’s decision a “coach’s decision” and did not elaborate. After Friday’s game, she remained somber on the subject.
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Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers waits for a free throw attempt in the first half of a game against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena on November 6, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Buffaloes defeated the Lady Tigers 92-78. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“Angel was not in uniform. Angel is on this basketball team, and we hope she returns to the team soon. I’m not going to answer more than that,” she says.
Reese had started LSU’s first four gamesin which the Tigers went 3-1 and averaged 17 points and 10.3 rebounds in those games.
OutKick reported earlier this week that it was possible Reese was suspended, but LSU has not said so.
OutKick reached out to Reese’s agent, Jeanine Ogbonnaya, and said she didn’t have “a lot of information.”
The team members’ mothers have been feuding recently, including those of Reese and Flau’jae Johnson.
Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers handles the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photos by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA via Getty Images)
ANGEL REESE MAY HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED AFTER BENCH AND SOCIAL MEDIA DRAMA
Reese’s mother, Angel Webb Reese, criticized Johnson for his poor use of words on Instagram.
“You certainly know about grammar errors when your daughter has a 2.0 or lower grade point average,” Johnson’s mother, Kia Brooks, responded. “Stop being petty, fake and hateful, and take responsibility for your actions and those of your daughter.”
Reese, nicknamed the “Bayou Barbie” and known for her eyelash extensions and pink nails, led LSU to its first national title in women’s basketball last season. She also parlayed her popularity into name, image and likeness endorsements valued at over $1 million, making her one of the highest-paid female college athletes.
The junior drew criticism when she pointed to her ring finger and celebrated “you can’t see me” in front of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark in the final seconds of the national title game. Clark had already made the taunt and said she had no problem with what Reese did.
LSU Lady Tigers forward Angel Reese (10) gestures to Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) after the game during the final game of the NCAA Women’s Final Four tournament at American Airlines Center. (Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
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Reese led the Southeastern Conference in scoring (23 points per game) and rebounding (15.4 per game) last season, becoming just the fourth player to lead the league in both categories.
Her 34 double-doubles this season set an NCAA record and her 23 consecutive double-doubles to start last season broke Sylvia Fowles’ previous LSU record of 19.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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