Just moments after a heartbreaking loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Elite Eight, LSU forward Angel Reese implored those watching to realize she’s still human.
Reese has been on the receiving end of ridicule dating back to when her squad defeated Iowa to win the national championship in 2023. Reese, as LSU was closing out the win, made the popular ‘You can’t see me’ gesture at Clark, igniting a debate that continued into this season. Since then, Reese has been labelled a trash-talker and a villain — both labels she told ESPN she was “willing to take the hit” for if it meant growing the game.
But when asked Monday night about the discourse throughout the past year, Reese took a moment to compose herself before getting candid.
“I don’t really get to stand up for myself. I mean, I have great teammates, I have a great support system, I’ve got my hometown, I’ve got my family that stands up for me,” Reese told reporters. “I’ve been through so much, I’ve seen so much, I’ve been attacked so many times… Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened, I’ve been so many things and I’ve stood strong — every single time.
“I’m still human. All this has happened since I won the national championship and, I said the other day, I haven’t had peace since then. And it sucks, but I still wouldn’t change.”
Both Reese and Clark have made it clear that their on-court rivalry is just that — on the court.
“I don’t think people realize it’s not personal,” Reese told ESPN ahead of the Elite Eight matchup. “Me and Caitlin Clark don’t hate each other. I want everyone to understand that.”
Still, even Reese’s teammates noticed the discourse was slanted, and the 21-year-old forward from Maryland was taking the brunt of the heat.
“Everyone can have their opinion on Angel Reese, but y’all don’t know her,” teammate Flau’jae Johnson said on Monday. “I know the real Angel Reese, and the person I see every day is a strong person, is a caring, loving person.
“She’s the type of teammate that’s going to make you believe in yourself. The leap that I took from my freshman to sophomore year, Angel gave me that confidence to go be a dog.”
Reese has not stated whether she’ll return for another season at LSU or if she, like Clark, will declare for the WNBA draft. Whichever path she chooses, it’s clear that Reese will not let her critics win.