Angel Reese and his LSU basketball teammates visited the White House on Friday to celebrate their national championship win over Iowa, albeit after some reluctance on behalf of the Tigers’ top star.
The LSU invitation became a source of controversy this year after First Lady Jill Biden said in a speech that the defeated Iowa Hawkeyes should also go to the White House ‘because they played such a good game’ in the NCAA final on April 2.
In past decades, the White House has typically only hosted title winners, and Jill’s proposed departure from this tradition appeared to insult the reigning national champions, including Reese.
A first-team All-American known as the Bayou Barbie for her glamorous social media profile, Reese said in April that she and her teammates would prefer to meet former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle. Recently, Reese changed his mind and said he and his teammates would meet with the Bidens at the White House.
‘You showed us, boys and girls, girls and boys, what it means to be a champion,’ said Jill, dressed in a purple suit that matched the school’s color scheme.
Jill Biden opened the festivities Friday by congratulating the LSU Tigers on their national title win
Angel Reese shared several snaps on Instagram, where she is often referred to as ‘Bayou Barbie’
In its 102-85 victory over the Hawkeyes, LSU’s point total was the most in a championship game by a team. The 187 combined total also broke the previous mark. The game also drew 9.9 million television viewers, a record for an NCAA women’s title game.
‘You know it became more expensive for people to come,’ joked the President. ‘The cost of tickets has gone up tenfold, more than men’s games.’
‘The Final was the most watched game in women’s basketball history – more viewers than the NBA playoffs.’
Friday’s light romance seemed an impossibility after Jill Biden suggested Iowa should also visit the White House.
‘A JOKE,’ he tweeted at the time, along with three rolling-on-floor-laughing emojis.
In a podcast shortly after, Reese said his team should celebrate their title with Barack and Michelle Obama.
Reese said he was not inclined to accept an apology from Jill Biden for suggesting that LSU and runner-up Iowa be invited to the White House.
‘I’m not gonna lie to you, I don’t accept the apology because of, you said what you said. I said what I said. And like, you can’t go back on some of the things you say,’ Reese told podcast hosts Brandon Marshall and Ashley Nicole Moss.
‘I mean, you felt they should have come because of sportsmanship, right?’ Reese added. ‘They can have that spotlight. We’re going to the Obamas. We will see Michelle. We’ll see Barack.’
Some social media commenters noted the race’s dynamics, saying that only the winners should be rewarded with a visit to the White House and that hosting both teams would diminish the success of LSU’s team, which was more than everything is black.
Iowa’s team is mostly white. Others have noted the important role of black women in Democratic Party politics.
President Biden did not pursue that idea, inviting only LSU and men’s national champion Connecticut, to visit the White House on Friday night.
Vanessa Valdivia, a spokeswoman for Jill Biden, said the first lady meant no disrespect to LSU and that her comments were intended to applaud the historic game and all female athletes.
Reese, the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, told ESPN in an interview that he’s going to the White House because he wants to do ‘what’s best for the team.’
The most memorable moment from LSU’s historic win came in the fourth quarter, when Reese appeared to taunt Iowa star Caitlin Clark with the wrestler’s ‘you can’t see me’ hand gesture John Cena. Reese added insult to injury by pointing to his own finger, as if to say that’s where he’ll wear his championship ring.
LSU’s Angel Reese shows Iowa star Caitlin Clark where to wear her championship ring
Clark, The Associated Press Player of the Year, made a similar gesture to no one in particular during Iowa’s victory over Louisville in the Elite Eight, and while many were upset when Reese did it, the Hawkeyes guard said no reason for the LSU star to accept criticism of the incident.
Maybe you shouldn’t criticize Angel. Whichever way he went, he should not be criticized for what he did. I’m just someone who competes – and he competed,’ Clark said on ESPN’s ‘Outside the Lines,’ adding: ‘I think everybody knows there’s going to be a little bit of trash talk throughout the tournament. It’s not just me and Angel.’
Social media was divided over Reese’s act, with some saying it was just part of the game and others saying Reese lacked the grace to succeed. Reese, who also made what appeared to be a ‘you’re too small’ gesture several times after scoring in the 79-72 semifinals victory over Virginia Tech, was unapologetic Sunday night.
“All year, I’ve been criticized for who I am,” said Reese, who is black; Clark is white. ‘I don’t fit into a box you want to put me in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. But when other people do it, you don’t say anything. So this is for girls like me, who will speak up for what they believe. It’s unapologetically you.’
Clark was asked on ESPN if there is a difference in how people think women players should behave compared to men.
‘I think guys always have trash talk … and I think more and more people, as they open up the game, they appreciate it for what it is,’ Clark said. ‘I’m just lucky to be able to play this game and have the emotion and wear it on my sleeve – and so does everyone else. So, that should never be broken, that should never be criticized because I believe that’s what makes this game fun.’
Clark is the first to post consecutive 40-point games in an NCAA Tournament. He also told ESPN that LSU deserved the title – ‘they played very well’ – and that he was a ‘big fan’ of Reese.
Angel Reese and teammates take a selfie after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85
Angel Reese and Olivia Dunne attend the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue release party
LSU star Angel Reese’s NIL value nearly quadrupled from $371,000 to $1.4million
LSU has remained in the news since their national championship thanks to a pair of key transfers who joined the Tigers: former Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith and All-American forward Aneesah Morrow, who previously played at DePaul.
Reese has also stayed in the news, thanks to her large social media following and appearances at several high-profile events.
Meanwhile, thanks to the NCAA’s new rules on Name, Image, and Licensing deals (NIL), Reese is worth a reported $1.4 million after she made her modeling debut in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.
‘I’m excited and blessed to have these opportunities to come out and be who I am,’ Reese told Sports Illustrated.
