Even before Chicago Sky star Angel Reese entered the professional ranks, she was already a well-established star in the world of basketball. In her first season with LSU, the 6-foot-3 forward led the Lady Tigers to their first-ever national championship, earning the Most Outstanding Player award along the way.
Reese’s incredible talent and determination were evident, and her contributions to the team’s success propelled her to national stardom.
However, despite all of the accolades and recognition, Reese recently admitted that her time at LSU was not always as joyful as it seemed from the outside. Speaking candidly on a recent episode of her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, the 22-year-old revealed that her journey at Baton Rouge had its share of challenges and tough moments.
“Getting up and transferring, it’s scary,” Reese said, reflecting on her decision to leave the University of Maryland and join LSU in 2022. “But I won a national championship from it. So I was like, ‘I got something out of it.'”
Reese’s move to LSU turned out to be the right decision for her basketball career, but it wasn’t without difficulties. The adjustment to a new environment, new teammates, and a new coaching staff came with its own set of hurdles.
Reese made it clear that her time at LSU wasn’t always perfect. “It wasn’t a perfect situation. Every day I didn’t come to practice like, ‘Yeah, I love being here.’ But at the end of the day, I got what I wanted out of it,” she admitted. “Now I look back and I love LSU.”
Reese’s honesty about her college experience highlights the often-unseen challenges that student-athletes face. Despite her success on the court, she grappled with the emotional difficulties of adapting to a new environment and the pressures that came with high expectations. Her decision to transfer was a leap into the unknown, but ultimately, it paid off in the form of a national championship and personal growth.
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Reese made her confession during an episode that featured her guest Mikey Williams, a young basketball star who recently made the move from Memphis to the University of Central Florida (UCF) during the offseason.
Reese used her own experience to offer advice to Williams, acknowledging the fear and uncertainty that often accompany big career decisions. She shared that while the transition was not easy, it ultimately led to her reaching new heights both as a player and as a person. Her ability to look back on her time at LSU with fondness, despite the challenges, speaks to her resilience and the value of taking risks in the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.
Currently, Reese is with the Chicago Sky in the WNBA, where she is already making waves. Despite suffering a season-ending wrist injury, Reese had an impressive rookie campaign.
In the 34 games she played before the injury, the All-Star forward averaged 13.6 points, a league-best 13.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game in 32.5 minutes of play. Her impact on the court was undeniable, and she quickly became one of the league’s most exciting young players.
Reese’s journey from college to the professional level is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and willingness to embrace change. Her decision to transfer to LSU was a pivotal moment in her career—one that came with its share of doubts and difficulties but ultimately led her to success and personal growth.
Now, as she continues to navigate her WNBA career, Reese’s openness about her experiences serves as an inspiration to other young athletes facing similar decisions.
Her message is clear: the path to success is rarely without obstacles, but the willingness to take risks and embrace new opportunities can lead to incredible rewards.
