Angel Reese’s fourth regular season of college basketball came to an end on Sunday afternoon. It may or may not be her last.
The LSU forward has an additional year of eligibility at her disposal should she choose to use it!
Tigers fans made it abundantly clear that they want Reese to return to Baton Rouge for a third and final season as her mother walked her onto the court for Senior Night alongside Shaquille O’Neal. Yes, Shaq.
Reese and the 7-foot-1 Basketball Hall of Famer have become very close over the last few years. The latter have become extremely close over the last year. Their relationship began when LSU hosted Me’Arah O’Neal on a recruiting visit and it only continued to grow throughout the national championship run that sparked a lot of outside criticism toward Reese.
They’ve built a bond so strong that it is more than a friendship or a mentorship. Reese considers Shaq to be a father figure in her life. Thus, it only made sense for him to be there for her at what could be her final regular season game at his former university.
Shaq and Reese’s mom (also Angel) wore shirts that read “Bayou Barbie is my favorite senior” on the back.
It is unclear as to whether the reigning Final Four Most Outstanding Player plans on returning for a fifth year.
Mock WNBA Drafts project that she will be a top-10 pick in April and it seems likely that she will go pro. Having her mom and Shaq lead her out onto the court seems like a pretty grand gesture for someone who is not going to leave, no?!
However, Angel Reese could choose to run it back for a third season with LSU after beginning her career with two years at Maryland. Her brand in Louisiana is huge and NIL allows her to get paid while in school. Perhaps she has loved her time in Baton Rouge so much that she will stay.
Either way, Reese won a ring and had Shaq walk her out on senior night. That’s pretty baller.