THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
May 31, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic
NY Post
New York Post
6 Apr 2023


NextImg:LSU ‘certainly’ would accept White House invite despite Angel Reese’s comments

The Lady Tigers might be headed to the White House after all.

One day after star Louisiana State University forward Angel Reese offered a noncommital response about celebrating the Tigers’ first national championship in Washington, D.C., the university’s athletic department said Wednesday they’d “certainly accept an invitation,” according to CNN.

Advertisement

The 20-year-old Reese has been unapologetic in her rejection of First Lady Jill Biden’s invitation to the White House following the Tigers’ 102-85 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday.

Reese took issue with Biden’s invitation after the First Lady — who was in attendance for the championship contest in Dallas — suggested that both LSU and Iowa visit the White House.

The invitation to the White House is typically reserved for the national champions.

“I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House, we always do,” Biden said Monday in Denver.

Advertisement

“So, we hope LSU will come. But, you know, I’m going to tell [President] Joe [Biden] I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.”

LSU Lady Tigers forward Angel Reese reacts during the fourth quarter against Iowa during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.
Getty Images

First Lady Jill Biden (green jacket) with Billie Jean King (blue jacket) prior to the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game on April 2, 2023 in Dallas.

First Lady Jill Biden (green jacket) with Billie Jean King (blue jacket) prior to the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game on April 2, 2023 in Dallas.

Getty Images

Reese, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 NCAA women’s tournament, called Biden’s suggestion “A JOKE.”

Advertisement

Reese and her teammate, guard Alexis Morris, later floated the idea that the Lady Tigers celebrate with former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, after he congratulated the team on Twitter.

Morris, a fifth-year senior who declared for the 2023 WNBA Draft, initially wrote: “Michelle OBAMA can we (LSU NATIONAL CHAMPS) come celebrate our win at your house?”

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said Sunday she would go to the White House if the team was invited.

Advertisement

In the wake of the invitation gaffe, Biden backtracked on the matter, with spokesperson Vanessa Valdivia explaining Tuesday that the First Lady’s remarks were intended to applaud all women athletes.

“The First Lady loved watching the NCAA women’s basketball championship game alongside young student athletes and admires how far women have advanced in sports since the passing of Title IX,” Valdivia wrote on Twitter.

“Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House.”

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Reese appeared on I Am Athlete’s “Paper Route” show and elaborated on the situation.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at a ceremony honoring the recipients of the 2021 National Humanities Medals and the 2021 National Medals of Arts at the White House on March 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at a ceremony honoring the recipients of the 2021 National Humanities Medals and the 2021 National Medals of Arts at the White House on March 21, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Getty Images

“I just know if the roles were reversed, they wouldn’t be the same,” Reese said.

“If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House.”

Reese explained that she and her teammates began texting in a group chat about whether or not they should visit the White House.

Advertisement

“As soon as that happened, we [the team] hit the group chat, like, what’re we doing? Are y’all trying to go? … We made a lot of phone calls and that’s why she wants to come and apologize,” she said.

“I’m not going to lie to you, because I don’t accept her apology… I said what I said… You felt like they [Iowa] should’ve came because of sportsmanship, they can have that spotlight. We’ll go to the Obamas. We’ll see Michelle, we’ll see Barack.” 

Angel Reese cuts down a piece of the net after LSU defeated Iowa during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.

Angel Reese cuts down a piece of the net after LSU defeated Iowa during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.
Getty Images

A spokesperson for the Obamas declined to comment on the matter, according to CNN.  

Advertisement

Reese said on “Paper Route” that she’s unsure if she will visit the White House. 

“We’re gonna see,” she said. “I don’t know.”

Reese also claimed that LSU declined to meet with Biden prior to defeating Iowa — adding the team “didn’t want her coming into the locker room.”

When asked why the Lady Tigers wouldn’t meet with Biden, Reese said it was due to President Joe Biden’s bracket.

Advertisement

The president picked Michigan to defeat LSU in the second round and had Villanova winning the national championship.

Alexis Morris (L), Angel Reese and head coach Kim Mulkey head coach LSU at a press conference at the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four on March 30, 2023.

Alexis Morris (L), Angel Reese and head coach Kim Mulkey head coach LSU at a press conference at the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four on March 30, 2023.
NCAA Photos via Getty Images

President Biden invited the Lady Tigers to the White House on Tuesday, along with the men’s national champions, the UConn Huskies.

Star Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark said Tuesday the Hawkeyes shouldn’t be invited to the White House. 

Advertisement

“I don’t think runner-ups usually go to the White House,” she said during an appearance on SportsCenter.

“I think LSU should enjoy that moment for them and congratulations, obviously, they deserve to go there. Maybe I could go to the White House on different terms though.

“That’s for LSU. That’s a pretty cool moment and they should enjoy every single second of being a champion.”

The Lady Tigers celebrated their national championship parade in Baton Rouge on Wednesday.