National champion and elite college basketball player Angel Reese has returned to the LSU Tigers following a controversial absence.
The All-American poured in 19 points in a defeat of Final Four opponent Virginia Tech before hinting at her mental health as a possible reason for her four-game hiatus during the start of the season, USA Today reports.
Before playing on Nov. 30, Reese had missed the previous four games after being benched during the second quarter of the team’s Nov. 14 game against Kent State on Nov. 14.
The 21-year-old addressed the media following the Virginia Tech win. “I’m just super happy to be back with the team” before addressing the pressures that have come with her newfound celebrity.
“I want to people realize that I’m not just an athlete. I’m a human, too. I go through things,” she said. “My mental health is the most important before anything and I’m gonna make sure I’m OK before anything because I don’t wanna cause any harm or cancer in the locker room.”
The six-foot-three forward was thrust into the national spotlight last year due to her athletic prowess and undeniable leadership of a program that faced lofty expectations under the tutelage of storied head coach Kim Mulkey.
After averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds in the 2023 season, Reese earned
All-American honors and led her team to a national championship while racking up an unprecedented number of NIL deals. Growing concerns over whether her growing popularity and earning power would negatively affect her focus on basketball came to a head when Mulkey decided to bench the superstar player. However, the newly minted Reebok spokeswoman seemed unfazed by the rumors surrounding her absence from the team.“Whatever stories that were wrote or written, don’t believe
everything you read,” Reese said. “I’m back and I’m happy. I’m here and I’m moving forward. I’m going to take this team and help take this team as far as I can.”RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Back In The Game After Absence