Angel Reese Back In The Game After Absence

After being absent from four games, star forward Angel Reese is returning to the LSU Tigers as they face the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The No. 7 LSU Tigers are getting ready to take on the No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies, and after four missed games, star forward Angel Reese is making her return to the team for the rematch.

According to The Associated Press, 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. However, the return of the powerhouse forward is right on time after the Tigers coach revealed on Nov. 29 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.

LSU defeated the Hokies in Dallas last season in the 2023 Final Four.

“I really think Angel will just be like Angel,” Mulkey said as she spoke on Reese’s “really good” performance in practice.

In regards to Smith’s injury, Mulkey said, “Timing is everything in life, and the timing of her injury is just so sad for her because she has improved by leaps and bounds. The timing of Angel being back kind of helps, but there’s no substitution for the value that Sa’Maya has to our team and what she’s meant thus far.”

As Reese has been confirmed to play with the team in their game against the Hokies, coach Mulkey attributed the athlete’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 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.

Last season, Reese was a leading 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. Reese helped the Tigers take home the program’s maiden national title. The Tigers defeated the Hokies in the Final Four before defeating Iowa to win the championship game. Reese has garnered a lot of media attention and secured over $1 million in endorsements. The star basketball player, who is known as Bayou Barbie, is stylish on and off the court and has expressed her interest in modeling. She is also a 2023 Black Enterprise 40 Under 40 honoree.

The star player has been known for her strong personality, staying true to herself and not shying away from critics.