What will Angel Reese decide when it comes to her playing future?
LSU’s All-American forward pondered the same question in a message on her Instagram Story after Monday’s season-ending loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
“Heavy is the head that wear the crown & that crow is heavy,” Reese wrote in the post, which included a photo of her sitting on the court. “You never stay down too long.”
She concluded, “What’s next 10?” referencing her LSU jersey No. 10.
Reese, a senior at LSU with one year left of college eligibility, added a crown animation at the top of her head.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, 21, can either return to LSU for a fifth year — as the NCAA granted an additional year of eligibility during the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 — or declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft, which will take place in Brooklyn on April 15.
Reese has 48 hours from her final game to opt-in to the draft.
Players whose teams make it to the Elite Eight have up to 48 hours after their last game to make a decision, per WNBPA rules.
“I’ll make a decision when I’m ready,” Reese said in a postgame press conference after Monday’s 94-87 loss as she discussed the possibility of entering this year’s WNBA draft.
Reese became emotional when reflecting on the increased attention and scrutiny she’s received since last year’s national championship game — when she helped the Lady Tigers win their first-ever title in program history in a 102-85 victory over Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes.
“I’ve been attacked so many times, death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened, I’ve been so many things, and I’ve stood strong every single time,” Reese said while wiping away tears. “I just try to stand strong for my teammates because I don’t want them to see me down and not be there for them. All this has happened since I won the national championship. It sucks, but I still wouldn’t change.”
If Reese stays at LSU, along with senior guard Hailey Van Lith, the Tigers will see much of their 2023 roster back together — including rising sophomore Flau’Jae Johnson, junior guard Aneesa Morrow and freshman Mikaylah Williams.
Should she choose to take her talents to the league, Reese is projected to be a top pick in the draft.
Reese recorded 17 points and 20 rebounds in 36 minutes before she fouled out with just less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss.
After a strong start, Reese slowed down when she rolled her ankle during in the second quarter — which re-aggravated a previous injury she suffered in the SEC Tournament.
