LSU star Angel Reese disagreed with the referee call that fouled her out of the Elite Eight and effectively ended her season. With just under two minutes to go, Iowa’s Kate Martin drew a charge on the forward, who didn’t think her counterpart was in a set defensive position.
Hawkeyes fans at MVP Arena waved goodbye to Reese as she exited the floor, while Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey wore an expression of disbelief on her face.
Reese, a program legend who won the national title last year, also fouled out in the Sweet 16 against UCLA. The 21-year-old finished Monday night with 17 points and 20 rebounds in a 94-87 defeat.
The sarcastic waves from Iowa fans in the crowd were a reference to when Reese waved away Middle Tennessee’s Anastasiia Boldyreva when she fouled out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. There was also perhaps a bit of animosity from Hawkeyes supporters that stemmed from the 2023 national championship, when Reese and Co. stopped Caitlin Clark from winning a ring.
Celebrity actor Jason Sudeikis, a Clark fan, was among the people in the crowd Monday night mocking Reese.
Jason Sudekis taunting Angel Reese.
Women’s basketball. So hot right now.
pic.twitter.com/l4KwiWaIvG— MyBookie – Bet With The Best (@MyBookie) April 2, 2024
It remains to be seen what’s next in store for the Baltimore native. After the loss, she said of her decision of whether to go pro and end her LSU career: “I’ll make a decision when I’m ready.”
Angel Reese watched the final seconds from the bench after fouling out. (
Image:
Getty Images)
In an interview with Glamour magazine last September, she hinted at taking her talents to the next level following her senior season at LSU. “Our ultimate goal is to win another national championship,” Reese said. “But personally, I aspire to make it to the WNBA.”
She added: “While I do have the option for another year, I do want to get out of college, start life outside of school, and pursue my WNBA dreams. It’s been a challenging but rewarding four years, and I’m excited to continue improving at LSU and beyond.”
Despite suffering a possible unceremonious end to her collegiate career, Reese has much to be proud of when looking back on her past accomplishments.
She owns the NCAA record for most double-doubles in a single season with 34, and played an integral role in helping LSU secure its first national championship victory in program history.
Reese has received many additional honors during stints at LSU and Maryland, including but not limited to 2023 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, 2023 unanimous First Team All-American, 2023 AP and USBWA All-American, 2023 First Team All-SEC and 2022 First Team All-Big Ten.
Still, she’s dealt with overwhelming negativity on social media, something she alluded to in LSU’s postgame media session. “I don’t really get to stand up for myself. … I just try to stay strong,” she said. “Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, so many things and I just try to stay strong.”
