LSU star Angel Reese wept as she recalled the death threats and racist attacks she incurred ever since the Tigers won the women’s collegiate basketball title a year ago.
In the aftermath of LSU’s crushing loss to Iowa — the celebrated rematch game after LSU defeated them for the championship in 2023 — Reese told the press about the incessant barrage of hate.
Reese said her haters threatened her life
“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,” Reese said after LSU’s season-ending 94-87 loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight on Monday.
“All this has happened since I won the national championship,” Reese continued through her tears. “And it sucks. But I still wouldn’t change anything, and I would still sit here and say I’m unapologetically me. I’m going to always leave that mark and be who I am and stand on that.”
Angel Reese’s teammates defend her
Reese’s talented teammate Flau’jae Johnson, who scored 24 points in a losing effort, feels the Bayou Barbie has been wrongfully demonized by sports fans and media members alike.
“Man, let me tell you something,” Johnson began. “Everybody can have their opinion on Angel Reese, but y’all don’t know her. I know the real Angel Reese, and the person I see every day is a strong person, is a caring, loving person. But the crown she wears is heavy.”
Hailey Van Lith is another Tigers teammate who spoke about the racism Reese has victimized by.
“I think Angel is one of the toughest people I’ve been around. People speak hate into her life. I’ve never seen people wish bad things on someone as much as her, and it does not affect her,” Van Lith testified in the postgame press conference.
“She comes to practice every day,” Van Lith continued. “She lives her life every day. She lives how she wants to live, and she don’t let nobody change that. That’s the key to life right there. Y’all do not get to her. Let me say it again. Y’all do not get to Angel Reese. So you might want to throw the towel in because you’re wasting your energy.”
