LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese found it “frustrating” that the Lady Tigers’ first-ever NCAA championship was overlooked because of the drama surrounding her and Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark.
During an appearance Wednesday on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” Reese, who faced backlash for taunting Clark with the John Cena “you can’t see me” celebration before pointing to her ring finger during last month’s title game, spoke about the Lady Tigers’ 102-85 win over the Hawkeyes being overshadowed by the controversy.
“It was frustrating,” said Reese, who was joined by teammates Alexis Morris, now of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, and Flau’jae Johnson.
“I mean, to see how we’ve grown women’s basketball… 9.9 million people watched the game. That’s more than the men.
“I know one day we’re going down in the history books, so it’s bigger than me. I’m so happy that we won the championship. I wish it was more talked about.
“As much as they talked about the Caitlin situation… because we worked just as hard. We put a lot of sweat and tears into that championship and people don’t realize that. … It’s the best of both worlds.
“I’m happy the situation happened, but at the same time I’m a national champion — and I’m getting a ring.”
The 20-year-old Reese went on to clarify that she and Clark “are cool” and there was never any “beef” between them.
“People don’t realize that and how competitive we are,” said Reese, who is one of the top NIL earners, earning seven figures.
“We’re the top of our class, and to see how much we’ve grown women’s basketball within a year, that’s what it was for both of us.”
Angel Reese on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” on May 3, 2023.YouTube/The Jennifer Hudson Show
Johnson — who is also a rapper and has a record deal with Roc Nation — said she didn’t expect the Reese-Clark situation to blow up as it did given both players were talking trash throughout the tournament.
“It’s two strong personalities, two dominant players, but in that moment, I didn’t know how big it was going to be,” Johnson said. “But it was bigger for the game.
“A lot of people were like, ‘Are y’all made at Angel?’ [because of the situation].
“First of all, Angel is going to be her regardless and we support that. … It just grew the game, and I was happy to be a part of it and be a national champion at the same time. You can’t complain about too much after that.”
LSU forward Angel Reese reacts in front of Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes towards the end of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.Getty Images
LSU forward Angel Reese reacts in front of Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes towards the end of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.NCAA Photos via Getty Images
At first, Morris said she found the situation to be “disrespectful” until she looked at it from a different perspective.
“Even though we’re looking at it like, the world made it a race thing — for a matchup like Angel and Caitlin Clark to have 9.9 million views, that’s remarkable,” Morris said.
“… The goal is to grow women’s basketball, so it’s bigger than just that moment. … It’s all good. … Keep racism out of sports.”
Clark defended Reese in an interview with “SportsCenter” two days after the hand gesture sparked controversy, and said the LSU All-American shouldn’t be criticized for her actions.
Alexis Morris, Flau’jae Johnson and Angel Reese on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” on May 3, 2023.YouTube/The Jennifer Hudson Show
Alexis Morris, Flau’jae Johnson and Angel Reese on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” on May 3, 2023.YouTube/The Jennifer Hudson Show
“We’re all competitive. We all show our emotions in a different way,” Clark said last month.
“Angel’s a tremendous, tremendous player. I have nothing but respect for her. I love her game, the way she rebounds the ball, scores the ball is absolutely incredible. I’m a big fan of her. Even the whole LSU team, the way they played.
“I don’t think there should be any criticism for what she did. I honestly didn’t see it when the game was going on and like I said I haven’t been on social media at all.”
It’s been an eventful week for both Reese and Johnson, who have been selected to take part in the 2023 USA Women’s Basketball AmeriCup Team Trials in Colorado Springs next week.
