Courtesy of: LSU Athletics
The Saving Grace for the LSU Tigers Showed Up and Showed Out, but will Angel Reese win the Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete at the ESPY Awards?
Angel Reese was the LSU Tigers Women’s Basketball team's saving grace during the 2022-2023 season. She carried the team all through the regular season as well as the post-season where the Tigers ended up winning the national championship.
Courtesy of: Angel Reese/Twitter
But before we dive into her collegiate career, let's get a better understanding of who Reese is as a person.
Reese was born in Randallstown, Maryland, where she also attended school. She went to St. Francis Academy throughout her high school years. Her parents, Angel Webb, and Michael Reese, are the reason behind the talent that Reese portrays. Both of her parents were well-known for their college basketball careers as well. She grew up playing sports with her younger brother, Julian, who is also an avid sports player. Reese ended up growing up living in a single-parent household. Shortly after her brother was born her parents filed for divorce. Reese’s mother was her inspiration. She was ultimately the reason Reese decided to play sports.
Now let’s get into her first two seasons with the University of Maryland.
Courtesy of: Maryland Athletics
Reese's first year with Maryland was the 2020-21 season. During this season she appeared in 15 games but missed 14 games because of a foot injury. During this season she averaged 10 points and 6.0 rebounds as a rookie. She also put up double digits in eight of her 15 games played. Her sophomore year she had an exceptional season. Reese was the first Terp sophomore to average a double-double since Angie Scott in 1975. Out of 32 games played, she scored double figures in 27 of them. In 14 games she had +20 points. While attending this university and playing for them she had many notable achievements and was recognized for many awards. But after two Sweet Sixteen losses, Reese decided it was time to find a new school and a coach that would push and challenge her. Reese transferred from the University of Maryland to Louisiana State University in the spring of 22.
Courtesy of: LSU Athletics
After transferring to LSU, it seemed like Reese’s game was taken to the next level. She led the Tigers to their first National Championship while averaging a double-double. She was considered one of the best players in the country. She became the fourth player to ever lead the SEC in both scoring and rebounds, 23.0 ppg 5.4 rpg. She set an NCAA record for having the most double-doubles, 34 during the season. Going into her first few games Reese wore the No. 1, but as soon as the No. 10 was available she switched to that. The No. 10 holds great value in their family, it was the number her mom wore in college, and it is also the number her brother wears while he plays for the University of Maryland. Reese had quite a few achievements awarded to her after her first season with the Tigers. Here is a list of some of them:
2022-23 Team Captain
2023 Final Four Most Outstanding Player
2023 First Team All-SEC
2023 SEC All-Defensive Team
2023 seven-time SEC Player of the Week
Now there are many other achievements she received, but these seemed to be the most notable ones.
Courtesy of: LSU Athletics
One moment in the 2022-23 season that Reese is well-known for is her shoe block. In the Tiger’s game against Arkansa, Reese lost her shoe and had it in one hand while she went and blocked the shot from the Arkansa player. She blocked this shot with only one shoe on and the other being held in her hand.
Courtesy of: Domenic Allegra
Due to her breakout season at LSU and taking her team on to win the national championship, Reese is one of the nominees for the Best Breakthrough Athlete at the ESPYS. The other nominees include Caitlin Clark, Brock Purdy, and Julio Rodriguez. While that is an individual recognition, the 2022-23 LSU Women's Basketball team is up for the Best Team award as well. The ESPY awards are going to take place on July 12, 2023, at 7:00 pm CDT so be sure to tune in to the ABC Network to see if Reese and her team are recognized as the players and organization they deserve to be recognized for.
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