Angel Reese, the LSU basketball star who led her team to the NCAA Women's National Championship a year ago, said life without drama was the last thing she wanted as death threats and hate speech were hurled at her in the aftermath of the title win. He said it was the last time.
After the Elite Eight's 97-84 loss to Iowa on Monday night, Reese tearfully described his challenges.
“I've been through so much,” she told reporters at the post-match press conference. “I've seen a lot. I've been attacked many times, I've received death threats. I've been sexualized. I've been threatened. , I have stood stronger each time.”
Reese's turmoil began in the final minutes of LSU's win over Iowa in last year's title game when she walked up to Iowa star Caitlin Clark, splayed her face and waved. The act was popularized by WWE star John Cena to mean “you can't see.” myself. “Then Reese pointed to her ring finger and suggested winning her championship ring.
Clark had made a similar gesture to another player earlier in the tournament.
“All this happened after I won the national championship,” Reese said. “It sucks, but I still wouldn't change a thing and I'm going to sit here and say without hesitation that I am who I am. I'm going to always leave my mark and be who I am and stand on top of it.” is.”
LSU teammate Fraujai Johnson said after the game that Reese's drama was unwarranted.
“Everyone can have an opinion about Angel Reese, but you don't know her,” Johnson said. “I know the real Angel Reese, and the person I meet every day is a strong person, a caring, and a loving person. But the crown she wears is heavy.”
Haley Van Lith, Reese's white teammate, on Sunday addressed the criticism her team received after Reese's team was described as “dirty debutants” in a column in Friday's Los Angeles Times. He said that racism is at the heart of this. (The LA Times later edited the article to add that it did not meet its standards.)
“Many of the people making comments like that are racist towards my teammates,” she said.
After Monday night's game, coach Van Lith said the offense couldn't break Reese.
“People throw hateful words at her life,” Van Lith said. “I've never seen anyone wish worse on someone than she does, but it doesn't affect her. She comes to practice every day. She lives her life every day. She knows who she is. She lives the way she wants to live, and she won't let anyone change that. That's the key to life. You can't reach her. Let me say it again: You'll never reach Angel Reese. . You're wasting your energy, so maybe you should throw in the towel.”
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