Angel Reese's Decision: Transitioning from LSU to the WNBA

LSU basketball star Angel Reese has announced that she is leaving school for the WNBA.

Reese posted the announcement Wednesday on Instagram, and her decision was also detailed in a story in Vogue.

LSU faced off against Iowa in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament on Monday, in a rematch of last year's national championship game. The game, broadcasted by ESPN, was revealed to be the most-watched women's college basketball game in history the following day.

In a recent interview with Vogue, Reese expressed her satisfaction with her college basketball career. She mentioned achieving her goals of winning a national championship, being named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, and earning All-American honors. Looking ahead, Reese shared her ultimate ambition of playing professionally and becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time. She feels prepared and ready to take on this next chapter.

The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 15, and Reese is expected to be chosen as one of the top 10 picks in mock drafts.

Just last year, Reese and LSU celebrated their first-ever women's basketball national championship victory by defeating Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes in the final with a score of 102-85.

Reese, who was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player last year, made headlines when she gestured towards Clark and pointed to her ring finger as LSU was on its way to winning the national title, sparking a discussion about trash talking in basketball.

Reese shoots against Iowa in the Elite Eight of this year's women's NCAA tournament.

Reese shoots against Iowa in the Elite Eight of this year's women's NCAA tournament.

Gregory Fisher/USA Today Sports/Reuters

Clark and Iowa avenged last year's loss in the Elite Eight on Monday night, defeating Reese and LSU 94-87 to secure a spot in the Final Four for the second year in a row.

Despite rolling her ankle in the second quarter, Reese put on an impressive performance in her final collegiate game. She managed to score 17 points, grab 20 rebounds, dish out four assists, block three shots, and make two steals before fouling out with 1:45 left in the game. This marked Reese's 10th consecutive double-double in the NCAA tournament, which tied the tournament record. Throughout the season, she maintained an average of 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds in 33 games.

Reese, who turns 22 in May, spent her first two college seasons at Maryland before transferring to LSU.

After Monday’s game, Clark and Reese shared a moment in the handshake line.

Reese told reporters that Clark had encouraged her to keep being a great player, and she, in turn, had urged Clark to continue excelling in the game and strive for victory.

When LSU secured the national title in 2023, the game drew 9.9 million viewers, marking it as the most-watched women's college basketball game in history at that time. However, the highly anticipated rematch on Monday surpassed those numbers, with a whopping 12.3 million viewers tuning in and peaking at 16.1 million.

Editor's P/S:

Angel Reese's decision to leave LSU for the WNBA marks a significant moment in her basketball career and the sport as a whole. Her impressive performances in college, including her role in LSU's first-ever women's basketball national championship victory, have cemented her status as one of the top prospects in the WNBA. Reese's ambition to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time is a testament to her determination and drive, and her upcoming draft selection as a top-10 pick is a reflection of her immense talent.

Reese's departure from LSU also highlights the growing popularity and recognition of women's college basketball. The record-breaking viewership of the NCAA tournament, particularly the rematch between LSU and Iowa, is a clear indication of the increasing fan base and interest in the sport. This surge in viewership is not only a testament to the exciting and competitive nature of women's college basketball but also a positive sign for the future of the WNBA, where Reese and other young stars like her can continue to showcase their skills and inspire generations to come.