A year ago, Angel Reese became a superstar after helping her LSU Tigers defeat Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the women’s NCAA Tournament. In doing so, Reese took home Most Outstanding Player honors for her stellar play, where she averaged 21.3 points per game in tournament play.
But her season isn’t off to a great start.
On Tuesday, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey made the decision to bench Reese during the second half of the Tigers’ win over Kent State. Reese played just 13 minutes, the lowest amount of floor time she’s seen since February of 2022 when she also played 13 minutes in a loss to Michigan when she was still at Maryland.
Then came Friday night, when Reese’s Tigers were set to play Southeastern Louisiana on the road. Yet, not only did Reese not play, she wasn’t even in uniform or even with the team at all.
While the Tigers still managed to win 73-50, Coach Mulkey faced several questions about why her best player wasn’t with the team.
“Angel was not in uniform. Angel is a part of this basketball team, and we hope to see her sooner than later.”
LSU Tigers coach Kim Mulkey on Angel Reese’s absence
A reporter then tried to ask a follow-up question, but Mulkey wasn’t having it. She cut in saying, “I’m not gonna answer anymore, that’s it, that’s all y’all need to know.”
Mulkey initially benched Reese due to what she called a “coach’s decision.”
The Tigers’ next game comes on Monday against Texas Southern. Will Reese be with her fellow Tigers teammates? As Coach Mulkey stated earlier in the week, “You better get a ticket and see.”
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