LSU basketball star Angel Reese follows Livvy Dunne by switching to online classes after explosion in popularity following team’s first title
Angel Reese follows in the footsteps of her LSU classmate Olivia “Livvy” Dunne by choosing online classes for safety reasons.
Reese, who propelled the Tigers basketball team to their first NCAA title in April, heads into her senior season in Baton Rouge, where Dunne — a star gymnast and fellow social media influencer — is taking online classes as a precaution.
For Reese, her decision to switch to online classes comes as a surprise given her rapid rise to fame. The former Maryland star transferred to LSU with little fanfare last season, but now boasts 2.5 million Instagram followers and $1.6 million in NIL contracts, according to On3.com.
“I didn’t think I’d be in Shade Room every time I posted,” Reese said Teen fashionreferring to a popular entertainment blog.
“I don’t feel like I’m a celebrity, but I think a lot of people now consider me a celebrity because of the impact I’ve had, not just on women’s basketball, but on the sport in general and on black women.” added Reese. “Things have changed for me.”
Angel Reese (near left next to friend Cam’Ron Fletcher) follows in the footsteps of LSU classmate Olivia Dunne (right) by opting for online classes over safety concerns
Angel Reese and Olivia Dunne attend the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2023 release party
Dunne, who ranks second among college athletes with $3.2 million in NIL deals, announced a similar decision in July.
“There were some fears in the past and I just want to be as careful as possible,” Dunne told Elle. “I don’t want people to know my daily schedule and where I am.”
LSU’s first gymnastics meeting of 2023 was attended by raucous – and youthful – male fans who were on hand to catch a glimpse of Dunne; singing and reportedly introducing other gymnasts.
“It was our first meeting of the season,” Dunne told Elle. “I knew my success had grown beyond previous years, but I didn’t expect so many people to see me and my team.
“I didn’t really realize it until I saw the videos of it after the meeting. I was like, “Holy moly.”
Reese (left) and Dunne (right) have made millions at LSU playing their respective sports
LSU gym then hired a bodyguard to protect her and the team from hordes of screaming teenage fans who gathered at her rallies.
Fans who want to catch a glimpse of Dunne can try to see the Double-A Altoona Curve in action. The Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliate features first overall draft pick Paul Skenes, an LSU alum who has a relationship with Dunne.
Dunne witnessed his professional debut earlier this month by watching the Skenes throw a few innings in the Florida Complex League. He has since been promoted to Altoona, two hours east of Pittsburgh.
The 20-year-old regularly posts photos of herself in bikinis, tight dresses and gym clothes
Reese is in a relationship with Florida state security guard Cam’Ron Fletcher, who she vacationed with in Jamaica
Reese has not given details about the specific threats she has received.
However, she recently revealed that she too is in a relationship with another athlete.
Reese, 21, and Florida State Guard Cam’Ron Fletcher, 22, showcased their time together in Jamaica with a series of photos on Instagram.
The pair met through basketball six years ago and grew closer during the COVID-19 pandemic. They confirmed their relationship in June, when Reese appeared on the 1 Star Recruits podcast and said, “Cam’Ron is my boyfriend, yes.”
That same month, the duo were spotted on a bowling date together.