Angel Reese returned to the court for the first time in more than two weeks on Thursday night. The 21-year-old scored 19 points with nine rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes as seventh-ranked LSU dominated ninth-ranked Virginia Tech in a rematch of last year’s Final Four.
Reese, who was benched during a game against Kent State on Nov. 14, was absent from the Tigers’ lineup in each of their last four games— including a trip to the Cayman Islands over Thanksgiving weekend. She did not travel.
Kim Mulkey refused to provide any clarity on the situation and left the door wide open for speculation. Nobody knows why Reese was away from the team. However, the belief is that her head coach asked her to take some time away to get her mind right and lock-in after some lackadaisical play early in the year.
There were multiple instances in which Mulkey got into a feisty exchange with the media when asked about Reese’s mysterious sabbatical. The 61-year-old was chastised for her response to the situation, especially considering her brazen history.
Angel Reese is back.
Reese issued a strong statement in favor of Mulkey after the 18-point win and said that she needs her.
I’m going to say that today, tomorrow, next year, ’til the day I die. That’s just how I feel. I’m at LSU because of Kim Mulkey.
— Angel Reese
As for the 16 days days off, the First Team All-American from a year ago found it to be extremely valuable. Reese said that she spoke a lot with Shaquille O’Neal, who was willing to offer his perspective and shoot it straight.
All of the conjecture surrounding the bizarre scenario was fair. Neither Reese, nor LSU, nor Mulkey shut down all of the rumors. They allowed them to spread like wildfire.
However, it appears as though it wasn’t that serious. Reese was in the gym during practice over the last week or so, if not longer, and provided an instant spark to the lineup upon return.
She is not upset with Kim Mulkey. There is no hostility, only love.
Angel Reese took a few weeks off. Shaq offered her some advice. All is well that ends well?