December 1st 2023.
The No. 7 LSU Tigers are ready to take on the No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies, and after four missed games, powerhouse forward Angel Reese is making her return to the team for the rematch. The Associated Press reported that Reese, one of the most popular players in college basketball, was absent from four games with the team for reasons the coach did not specify.
The return of Angel Reese couldn't come sooner for the Tigers. On Nov. 29, coach Mulkey announced that power forward Sa’Maya Smith would not return for the rest of the season due to a ligament and meniscus tear in her right knee during the Nov. 24 matchup against Niagara in the Cayman Islands Tournament. Mulkey confirmed Reese will be playing in their Nov. 30 game against VT.
“It’s a boost having her back, period. It’s not just against Virginia Tech. It’s just for our team. She’s just a tremendous player, one of the best players in the country,” Mulkey said.
The Tigers have a strong relationship with Angel Reese. Last season, she helped the team take home their first national title, with a win against the Hokies in the Final Four before defeating Iowa to win the championship game. In addition to being a top player on the court with an average of 23 points and 15.4 rebounds, she also holds an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles in a season.
The star player has been known for her strong personality, staying true to herself and not shying away from critics. She is stylish on and off the court and has expressed her interest in modeling, with $1 million in endorsements and an honor of being a 2023 Black Enterprise 40 Under 40 honoree.
Reese missed the last four games against Southern Louisiana, Texas Southern, Niagara, and Virginia. The team was able to collect victories at each of the games while Reese was absent. The Tigers have not been defeated since their game in Las Vegas against the Colorado Buffaloes.
Mulkey attributed Reese's absence for the past two weeks to “locker-room issues” and described it as an internal team matter that was unnecessary to publicize. However, the LSU coach expects an easy return for Reese, noting her relationship with her teammates and coaches.“We’re past it... We’ve been past it. It’s just we have to come in here and answer questions and that becomes aggravating,” the Tigers coach said and added, “I’m going to protect my players.”
Reese's return to the team is a welcomed surprise. She's a powerful player that the Tigers will be happy to have back. Coach Mulkey spoke highly of her performance in practice and expressed her excitement for her return. With Angel Reese back in the lineup, the Tigers are sure to put up a fight against the Hokies on Nov. 30.
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