Angel Reese has seen the negative comments and criticisms.
The star LSU forward is aware that false narratives were created about her in the public eye, and she’s collecting receipts, she shared in an interview with ESPN before the reigning champion Lady Tigers face the No. 14 Rice Owls in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
“I want people to underestimate me,” the 21-year-old Reese said. “I’m telling you, I have everything bookmarked for the right moment when everything just falls right into my hands.”
“They said I was too worried about social media, my GPA was low, I was pregnant. Yeah, my stats have gone down maybe four to five points because I’m on a way better team this year. But I’m still averaging a double-double every game. I think people don’t realize I can do 10,000 things and still be good at all of them. And I can’t wait till just everything just falls right into place.”
Reese has seen it all, according to ESPN, which described critical posts targeting her battles with opponents, her commitment to the game and her big personality.
Reese and LSU are vying to be repeat champions after beating Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 in last year’s national championship game — when Reese was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
After the Lady Tigers title game, which featured Reese’s now-famous hand wave in the face of Clark, Reese was called “classless,” and an “idiot” among other things — and criticized for her on-court demeanor and trash talk.
“All year, I was critiqued for who I was,” Reese said while reflecting on that time. “I don’t fit the narrative,” Reese said in a news conference following the game. “I don’t fit the box that you all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. You all told me that all year. But when other people do it, and you all don’t say nothing. So this is for the girls that look like me. For those that want to speak up for what they believe in.”
Reese has a massive platform to speak her mind, as he All-American forward has 2.7 million Instagram followers and 2.7 million on TikTok.
Since she won her first NCAA title, Reese has become a top NIL earner, making a reported six figures.
Some of her endorsement deals include: Reebok, Beats by Dre, Coach, ZOA energy drink and more. She also has a clothing line at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Last May, Reese made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in the 2023 issue.
The next month, she appeared in the music video for “Put It On Da Floor” remix by Latto, featuring Cardi B.
In July, Reese was awarded a key to her native city, Baltimore, by Mayor Brandon Scott.
Reese said her vision board includes: making 8-figures, retiring her mom [Angel Webb Reese] and starting a hair and lash business.
Right now, she’s focused on her college career and helping lead the Lady Tigers to the promise land for a second straight year.
“I’m doing whatever it takes to win,” she said.
Reese and the No. 3 seed Lady Tigers face the No. 14 Rice Owls in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 22.