Angel Reese is selected to Team USA for the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup this summer – as LSU star recalls her path to call-up and declares ‘time to bring home gold’
LSU star Angel Reese will represent Team USA at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup this summer and wants to win it as she recalled her journey to the call-up.
The 21-year-old shot to fame when she became a national champion as LSU defeated Iowa in the title game at March Madness.
And now she’s been rewarded for her impressive college basketball performances by earning a spot on the Team USA roster for the July competition.
But it hasn’t been plain-sailing for the most valuable women’s college player in terms of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
She shared her path, including the setbacks, to her selection on Monday via social media.
Angel Reese shared her path, including the setbacks, to her Team USA selection on Monday
The LSU star will represent Team USA at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup this summer
Reese wrote: ‘U16 cut. U18 finalist but cut (I WAS HURT).
‘U19 declined invite to win EYBL championship.
‘U19 finalist but withdrew to focus on my health.
‘THIS WAS MY YEAR. U23 I MADE IT.
‘GOD DID.
‘NEVER GIVE UP ON THINGS YOU WANT IN LIFE.
‘TIME TO BRING HOME GOLD.’
Reese will feature as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model in Thursday’s edition.
The college basketball superstar, worth a reported $1.3million when it comes to NIL deals, was scrutinized for her behavior in the national championship game.
She was criticized for taunting Iowa – including star player Caitlin Clark – as the 102-85 win wound down – by pointing to her ring finger and mimicking John Cena’s ‘you can’t see me’ gesture near the Iowa star.
Others pointed to similar behavior from Clark earlier in the tournament that went more under the radar.
Reese will feature as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model for first time, in Thursday’s edition
Reese was scrutinized for her behavior in LSU’s title-winning game. She pointed to her ring finger and mimicked John Cena’s ‘you can’t see me’ gesture near Iowa star Caitlin Clark (left)
Reese, who got a brand new Mercedes-Benz sedan worth $126,000 as part of an NIL partnership with a local dealer of the car giant for her birthday last week, and her LSU teammates will visit President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House to celebrate their NCAA glory on May 26.
They will not be joined by runners-up Iowa after the First Lady’s idea was blasted.
Reese called the First Lady’s invitation to visit the White House to celebrate their title victory a ‘joke’ amid the hypothetical possibility of Iowa’s inclusion.
The 6-foot-3 forward, who can enter the WNBA Draft next year, has 1.8million followers on Instagram.