LSU women's basketball standout Angel Reese sent a powerful message for her critics through social media on Friday in the wake of her decision to declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft. The tweet, succinct and candid, comes at a time when the LSU star has been the center of attention not only for her performances on the court but also for the boldness of her character in the face of criticism.
“Make sure that apology is as loud as the disrespect,” Reese said on X, formerly Twitter.
Following a season-ending loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight, led by Caitlin Clark, LSU's roster experienced significant shifts. Angel Reese, whose college career has captivated many, announced her move to the pros, while Hailey Van Lith entered the transfer portal, marking a new chapter for both athletes.
Reese, who had the option to return for another season with LSU due to a COVID-19 exemption, chose to set her sights on the upcoming WNBA Draft, where she is projected to be among the top picks. Her announcement, made via an article in Vogue, highlights her readiness to take on the professional ranks.
Angel Reese makes WNBA Draft announcement in Vogue
The WNBA Draft, slated for April 15, anticipates the inclusion of Reese, a 6-foot-3 powerhouse forward. Since transferring to LSU from Maryland in 2022, Reese has been nothing short of dominant. In her first season, she helped secure a national championship and garnered numerous individual accolades. Reese continued to impress with averages of 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game in the following season, notching 20 double-doubles during the regular season.
Reese's decision to join the WNBA was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. As early as March, in an interview with Vogue that coincided with her draft announcement, Reese shared her ambitions to turn pro, inspired by Serena Williams' own announcement in the same publication.
The WNBA consists of only 144 positions spread across 12 teams, and only 36 newcomers are welcomed each season. Should Reese be selected in the draft on April 15, as anticipated, she acknowledged in Vogue, “I’ll be working with grown women,” adding, “I’ll be working with women that have kids, women that have a family to feed. I’m going to have to work my butt off every single day and grind. And who wouldn’t want that? I don’t want anything in my life to be easy.”
Despite being on the receiving end of negative attention in recent months, Reese and Van Lith found support within the basketball community. Among their backers is NBA icon Carmelo Anthony, who recognized the contributions and tenacity of both players.
“I love the fact that she walks around with the crown. I love that. You got to remember, they're still young women. Do you get what I'm saying? So they're still trying to find themselves and trying to figure out who they are and try to still be women and have a hold up to a certain standard by still trying to be basketball players and athletic,” Anthony said.
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