Angel Reese has been selected for Team USA for the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup this summer — as LSU star recalls her road to call-up and declares ‘time to take home gold’
LSU star Angel Reese will represent Team USA at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup this summer and wants to win it as she reflects on her journey to the call-up.
The 21-year-old rose to fame when she became a national champion when LSU defeated Iowa in the title match at March Madness.
And now she’s been rewarded for her impressive basketball performance by earning a spot on Team USA’s roster for July’s competition.
But things haven’t been smooth sailing for the most valuable female college player in terms of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
She shared her path, including the setbacks, to her selection via social media on Monday.
Angel Reese shared her path, including the setbacks, to her Team USA roster on Monday
The LSU star will represent Team USA at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup this summer
Reese wrote: ‘U16 cut. U18 finalist but cut (I WAS INJURED).
‘U19 declined invitation to win EYBL championship.
‘U19 finalist but withdrew to focus on my health.
“THIS WAS MY YEAR. U23 I MADE IT.
‘GOD DID.
“NEVER GIVE UP ON THE THINGS YOU WANT IN LIFE.
‘TIME TO BRING HOME GOLD.”
Reese will act as one Sports Illustrated swimsuit model in Thursday’s edition.
The college basketball superstar, reportedly worth $1.3 million when it comes to NIL deals, came under scrutiny for her behavior in the national championship game.
She was criticized for taunting Iowa – including star player Caitlin Clark – as the 102-85 victory wound down – by pointing to her ring finger and mimicking John Cena’s “you can’t get me” gesture near the Iowa star.
Others pointed to similar behavior from Clark earlier in the tournament that went more under the radar.
Reese will make her first appearance as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model in Thursday’s edition
Reese came under scrutiny for her conduct in LSU’s title-winning game. She pointed to her ring finger and mimicked John Cena’s “you can’t see me” gesture near Iowa star Caitlin Clark (left)
Reese, who received a brand new $126,000 Mercedes-Benz sedan for her birthday last week as part of an NIL partnership with a local dealership of the auto giant, and her LSU teammates will visit President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House to celebrate their NCAA glory on May 26.
They will not be joined by number two from Iowa after the First Lady’s idea was rejected.
Reese called the First Lady’s invitation to visit the White House to celebrate their title win a “joke” amid the hypothetical possibility of being shot in Iowa.
The 6-foot-3 forward, who will enter next year’s WNBA Draft, has 1.8 million followers on Instagram.