The LSU women’s basketball team, under the leadership of Coach Kim Mulkey, has recently been embroiled in some off-court drama involving star player Angel Reese. Reese, a key figure in last season’s NCAA championship campaign, was notably absent from the team’s lineup in a recent game against Southeastern Louisiana and was benched during the second half of a preceding game against Kent State.
Coach Mulkey, when questioned about Reese’s absence, offered a cryptic response, indicating that Reese was not in uniform but still a part of the team, with hopes of her returning soon. This development follows LSU’s unexpected loss in their opening game against No. 20 Colorado and comes amidst Reese’s off-court activities, which included appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and a music video with artists Cardi B and Latto.
Former teammate Alexis Morris shared her thoughts on social media, seemingly supporting Reese and other players for exploring Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Morris expressed her focus on basketball over media and NIL deals, stating her desire to play the sport without these distractions.
Morris also refrained from criticizing Coach Mulkey’s handling of the situation with Reese, declaring her unwillingness to speak negatively about the coach. She emphasized loyalty over clout in her online remarks.
In contrast, another former LSU star, Jasmin Carson, hinted at having potentially significant insights into the situation but has so far chosen not to divulge them publicly.
Adding to the complexity, there seems to be a social media spat between Reese’s mother, Angel Reese Webb, and Flau’jae Johnson’s mother, Kia Brooks. Webb complained about grammatically incorrect messages causing her headaches, while Brooks responded by bringing up academic achievements and urging Webb to acknowledge the actions of herself and her daughter.
This ongoing saga at LSU, with its mix of on-court decisions and off-court comments, has caught the attention of the sports community, raising questions about team dynamics, coaching decisions, and the impact of external factors on collegiate athletes. Coach Mulkey described Reese’s benching as a “coach’s decision,” with reports suggesting it was meant to serve as an “attitude adjustment.”