Amid Angel Reese’s ongoing beef with the President of the United States, Joe Biden officially invited UConn and LSU to the White House. A visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has become a staple for the winning teams across the multiple sporting leagues present in the United States.
The tradition dates back as far as 1865 when two amateur baseball teams visited President Andrew Johnson. The first professional team to visit The White House was baseball’s Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1869. Over the subsequent 150 or so years, a visit to The White House has become a staple for most sports leagues. The first collegiate basketball team to visit is believed to be the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers. The practice has led to a number of notable incidents. In 1987, New York Giant Harry Carson dumped a tub of popcorn on President Reagan. Nearly 30 years later, President Trump was mocked for the fast food spread he had prepared for the visiting Clemson Tigers.
LSU Accept Invitation, But Reese’s Status Uncertain
According to CNN, LSU’s Athletics Department has accepted the invitation extended to the team by the Bidens. However, the report also points to Reese’s comments on the Paper Route podcast as evidence Reese may not be in attendance. Reese, nor any other member of the LSU team, has officially stated they will skip the visit. LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey said she would attend if invited. Mulkey has previously visited the White House, visiting President Trump alongside her 2019 Baylor Bears National Championship squad.
However, skipping the trip to The White House is not an uncommon practice. Tom Brady skipped trips in 2015 and 2019 due to “family reasons”. Former Raven Matt Birk opted out in 2013 due to President Obama’s pro-life stance. Larry Bird famously chose not to visit President Reagan in 1984, saying “If the president wants to see me, he knows where to find me.” More recently, nearly three-quarters of Clemson’s Black football players did not attend their 2019 White House visit with President Trump. In short, it is not unusual for players to skip meeting the President for a variety of reasons. What makes the case of LSU so unusual is the incredibly public manner in which the pre-visit drama has unfolded.
Angel Reese has been in the news a lot as of late. The LSU star, who had a standout season, has been getting both positive and negative attention. However, most people are currently focused on her for the ongoing beef she has with the White House. Most recently, she clapped back at the Bidens, suggesting that LSU should visit the Obamas. But beef is not the only thing on Bayou Barbie’s plate.
Someone else who has seen a lot of press coverage lately is NBA star Ja Maront. Whether it’s his eight-game suspension or his role in a Grizzlies playoff run. he might just be the most talked about NBA star. It was just a matter of time before these two charismatic and much-talked-about basketball stars met in person.
In a video posted to Reese’s TikTok, she and Morant are seen linking up at LSU’s athletic facilities. A #33 jersey can be seen in the background, which has been retired by both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. LSU retired the number in 2000 for Shaq and again in 2011 for Seimone Augustus. During the 2022-23 season, Reese broke Augustus’ long-standing SEC record for single-season double-doubles. Her 34 total double-doubles also broke the NCAA single-season record. Morant is not an LSU alum, nor does he play in or hail from Louisiana. But who could resist meeting the current queen of women’s collegiate basketball?
As audio of Morant quoting his favorite NBA YoungBoy plays, Morant and Reese are seen laughing before briefly hitting the griddy together. It’s a fun and wholesome moment for two stars of their respective games who have been dogged by less than positive press coverage in recent weeks. However, with Morant back on the court and Reese getting the spotlight she deserves, perhaps fortunes are changing. Reese said in a recent interview that her dream NIL deal would be a collab with Rihanna’s Fenty brand. As for future link-ups, with the Grizzlies playoff-bound, perhaps we will see Reese head up to FedExForum in the coming weeks. Fans would surely love more content from the two stars.
The college basketball may have thought that the Angel Reese/White House beef was over. Caitlin Clark had called on the White House to retract the First Lady’s invitation for Iowa to join LSU in going to The White House. The First Lady’s press team had walked back and clarified what Dr. Biden had meant with her original statement. Elsewhere, Boosie gave affectionate nicknames to Reese’s teammates while Lil Wayne set up collabs. But “Bayou Barbie” should never be counted out.
The saga’s latest chapter began on Tuesday as the Bidens formally invited UConn and LSU to the White House. The First Lady’s press secretary, Vanessa Valdivia, then tweeted a clarification of Dr. Biden’s remarks on Monday. Valdivia claimed that “Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House.” Reese dropped her retort the following day.
“We’ll Go See the Obamas”
“We’ll go to the Obama’s. We’ll see Michelle. We’ll see Barack.”⁰⁰LSU Women’s Basketball star Angel Reese doesn’t accept First Lady Jill Biden’s apology
On Wednesday, Reese sat down with the Paper Route podcast and did not hold back when it came to the topic of Dr. Biden’s comments. “I don’t accept the apology because you said what you said,” Reese began, “…I said what I said and you can’t go back on certain things you say. They [The Bidens] felt that they [Iowa] should have came because of sportsmanship. They can have that spotlight. We’ll go see the Obamas. We’ll see Michelle, go see Barack.” Reese also pointed out that President Biden’s official bracket had LSU being upset by 6-seed Michigan in the tournament’s second round.
While “We’ll go to the Obamas” quickly went viral, Reese was very clear about her stance. To Reese, Dr. Biden’s desire to invite Iowa because of their “sportsmanship” was an unsubtle endorsement of the claims against Reese’s in-game behavior. While the issue has been debated to death, and several prominent figures have defended Reese, a stark contrast still remains. The white First Lady wanted to invite the white-majority runners-up alongside the Black-majority winners because of their “sportsmanship”. However, whether there is more to come in this saga remains to be seen.
LSU basketball superstar Angel Reese heard First Lady Jill Biden suggest both her team and Caitlyn Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes should come to the White House. Typically, only the championship winner makes the visit, so Reese wasn’t feeling it.
Angel Reese rejects First Lady Jill Biden’s apology: ‘We’ll go to the Obamas’
A rep for Jill Biden apologized, but Reese was standing firm. “I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t accept the apology because you said what you said. And you can’t go back on certain things that you say,” Reese said on the show.
She added, “I mean, you felt like they should’ve came because of sportsmanship, right? They can have that spotlight. We’ll go to the Obamas. We’ll see Michelle. We’ll see Barack.”
The LSU program revealed they would accept a White House invite, so now it’s up to Reese and her teammates to join.
Caitlin Clark also found it quite weird; appearing on ESPN, she said, “I think LSU should enjoy that moment for them.”
“I don’t think runner-ups usually go to the White House. I think LSU should enjoy that moment for them.”
The Louisiana State University Tiger’s women’s basketball team defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 this past Sunday to claim their first NCAA women’s basketball national championship. The game had the highest viewership of any women’s college basketball event in history, with an average of 9.9 million viewers. Much of this was due to the excitement surrounding star players Angel Reese of LSU and Caitlin Clark of Iowa. Both players were recognized as two of the best in the nation, yet Reese came out on top, as she contributed 15 points, ten rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block during the game.
Angel Reese & Caitlin Clark Controversy
DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 02: Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts towards Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Along with her outstanding performance, Reese also made headlines for performing Clark’s “You Can’t See Me” taunt during the game. The gesture sparked controversy online as many fans speculated that there was “beef” between the two players. Reese responded to this outrage in her post-game interview. In reference to the backlash she received versus fans’ more positive reactions to Clark, Reese stated, “All year I was critiqued about who I was. … I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit in a box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all say nothing.”
Reese also posted a picture of the gesture to her Twitter account after the game, which created even more buzz. Needless to say, Angel Reese has established herself as one of the country’s best women’s college basketball players and also created quite a few headlines for herself over the past week. Let’s look further into Angel Reese’s life and basketball career.
Family History
Angel Reese was born on May 6, 2002, in Randallstown, Maryland. Her mother, Angel, and her father, Michael, were collegiate basketball players. The elder Angel played for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, before embarking on a professional career in Luxembourg. Her father competed for both Boston College and Loyola (Maryland).
Basketball runs in Reese’s blood, as Angel’s younger brother, Julian, is also a collegiate basketball player for the University of Maryland. Her step-brother, Mikael Hopkins, played basketball at Georgetown and plays professionally in Italy. Her cousin, Jordan Hawkins, plays for the UConn Huskies men’s team and won a national championship this year.
High School Career
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 30: Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers during media day at 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four at the at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on March 29, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Angel Reese was a four-year varsity player in high school at basketball powerhouse St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. While in high school, Reese led St. Frances Academy to three consecutive Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) championships. During her time at St. Frances, Reese averaged 18 points, 20 rebounds, and five assists per game. The Baltimore Sun honored Reese as the Player of the Year in her junior and senior seasons from 2018-2020. In addition, ESPN listed Reese as the No. 2 ranked women’s basketball recruit in the nation for the 2020 recruiting class.
Reese finished her career at St. Frances Academy with the second-most career points scored in school history. The school retired her number 10 jersey number, and she was the first player to receive this honor in St. Frances’ history. Angel also played volleyball for the school and led the team to two IAAM championships. Reese also played for Team Takeover on the AAU circuit and helped the team win the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League championship in 2019.
Reese’s Time At The University of Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, MD – DECEMBER 03: Angel Reese #10 of the Maryland Terrapins handles the ball against the Towson Tigers at Xfinity Center on December 3, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins /Getty Images)
Upon graduating high school, Angel Reese committed to the University of Maryland in her home state. She chose Maryland over offers from USC, South Carolina, Syracuse, and Tennessee. Reese’s relationship with Maryland’s head coach, Brenda Frese, significantly influenced her commitment. Reese became the highest-ranked recruit in the program’s history.
As a Freshman, Reese suffered a Jones Fracture in her foot that sidelined her from December 3rd to February 23rd. Despite this, she averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds in 15 games off the bench for Maryland. Angel earned Big Ten conference All-Freshman honors at the end of the season. In her Sophomore season, Reese assumed a much more significant role at Maryland, as she started 31 games for the Terrapins. Reese averaged 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game for the season, becoming the first women’s player at Maryland to average a double-double since 1975. Angel also led Maryland to the Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA tournament, earning first-team All-Big Ten and All-Defensive team honors. The Associated Press also named Angel Reese as a third-team All-American.
On April 5, 2022, Angel Reese entered the transfer portal hoping to join a team with a winning culture. Before deciding to commit to LSU, Reese took visits to South Carolina and Tennessee. On May 6, Angel officially committed to LSU and decided due to her trust in LSU’s coach Kim Mulkey and her desire to win a national championship. In her junior year with LSU, Reese became one of the nation’s best women’s basketball players.
In her first season at LSU this year, Reese broke LSU’s record for consecutive double-doubles. She also broke the single-game rebounding record with 28 rebounds in a single game. On February 16, 2023, she recorded a career-high 36 points and also contributed 20 rebounds in a game against Ole Miss. She finished the season averaging 23 points and 15.4 rebounds per game.
As mentioned, Reese led LSU to their first national championship in women’s basketball this year. Angel received the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award. Additionally, Reese earned unanimous first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC, and SEC All-Defensive Team honors.
Reese’s Off-Court Personality & Successes
“We’ll go to the Obama’s. We’ll see Michelle. We’ll see Barack.”⁰⁰LSU Women’s Basketball star Angel Reese doesn’t accept First Lady Jill Biden’s apology
Angel Reese has been nicknamed the “Bayou Barbie” due to her personality and style away from the basketball court. Her success as an athlete has also led to many NIL deals, allowing college athletes to be paid for their likenesses by outside companies. Reese has NIL deals with companies such as Amazon, XFinity, Outback Steakhouse, Wingstop, and the fashion brand Coach. After receiving her deal from Coach, Reese gave bags to her LSU teammates. Angel Reese will not be eligible to enter the WNBA draft until 2024, yet her recent successes and captivating off-the-court personality excite fans for her future.
NBA Youngboy has his eye on Angel Reese. The LSU star is coming off of a big win that’s stirred up quite the debate. Her hand gestures earned criticism, though she’s also made some fans among hip-hop’s elite. Just days before the tournament, Lil Waynehopped on FaceTime with her to wish her and her team luck but it seems like NBA Youngboy’s also invested in LSU’s success, whether on the court or in the booth.
Lil Wayne recently indicated that he has music in the works with Flau’jae, the LSU guard who also has a promising music career ahead of her. Flau’jae appeared on The Rap Game when she was 13 years old and later, inked a deal with Roc Nation. However, with a potential Wayne feature in the pipeline, it seems like things are only going up from here. Still, Angel Reese wants in as a video vixen in the upcoming music video. “Just let me be the video vixen,” she wrote.
— essie and millions ••••••• (@BAEHELPTOP) April 4, 2023
It seems like Flau’jae might get some ad-libs from NBA Youngboy in the future as well. The rapper hopped on Instagram where he appeared to shoot his shot and land an appearance alongside Reese. “And just let me do the humming,” YB wrote after quoting her tweet. Given that Lousiana State University is located in NBA Youngboy’s hometown of Baton Rouge, his appearance on the record would make nothing short of appropriate.
After he shared the tweet, he hopped on Instagram Live with Angel Reese who said that he should’ve popped up to one of her games. Given that he’s been on house arrest, it seems unlikely that he would’ve been able to show face. However, she encouraged him to tune into her game on Friday, April 7th at 4pm. Youngboy promised that he’d tune in to the game. Shortly after, Reese took to Twitter where she celebrated the victory with a slight reference to YB’s lyrics. “Who sliding to the parade outside the city tomorrow. WE OUTSIDE,” she wrote. Hopefully, we’ll end up catching YB and Angel Reese in Flau’jae’s upcoming collaboration with Lil Wayne.
In the closing moments of the women’s NCAA championship game, Angel Reese trolled Caitlin Clark with John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” gesture and pointing at her ring finger.
Caitlin Clark says to stop hating on Angel Reese. Interactions between Clark and Reese near the conclusion of the NCAA Women’s National Championship game drew a sharp response from certain members of the online community who labeled the LSU star as “classless,” among other things.
Appearing on Sportscenter, Clark said it is all blown out of proportion and should be simply looked at as two stars competing.
“I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all,” said Clark. “I’m just one that competes, and she competed. I think everybody knew there was going to be a little trash talk in the entire tournament. It’s not just me and Angel.
“We’re all competitive. We all show our emotions in a different way. You know, Angel is 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 and even the entire LSU team. They played an amazing game.”
After the game concluded, Reese responded to critics in her postgame press conference.
“All year, I was critiqued for who I was. I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit the box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. When other people do it, and y’all don’t say nothing.
So this is for the girls that look like me. For those that want to speak up for what they believe in. It’s unapologetically you. And that’s what I [did] before tonight. It was bigger than me tonight. And Twitter is going to go into a rage every time.”
“I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing. So this is for the girls that look like me.”
Shaquille O’Neal had TIME for those attempting to call out LSU’s Angel Reese for celebrating her win over Iowa and Caitlin Clark.
Multiple personalities would attack Reese’s character on Twitter, and Shaq would chime in with responses to Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy and Political figure Keith Olbermann.
In the closing moments of the women’s NCAA championship game, Angel Reese trolled Caitlin Clark with John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” gesture and pointing at her ring finger.
Segments of the Internet were not pleased by the trolling of the megastar, and Reese had a sharp response:
“All year, I was critiqued for who I was. I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit the box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. When other people do it, and y’all don’t say nothing.
So this is for the girls that look like me. For those that want to speak up for what they believe in. It’s unapologetically you. And that’s what I [did] before tonight. It was bigger than me tonight. And Twitter is going to go into a rage every time.”
“I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing. So this is for the girls that look like me.”
Caitlin Clark became a bonafide star over this past weekend. The Iowa star dazzled fans with her play on the court and her trash-talk game. Trash talk has long been a part of athletics. It just so happens Clark is one of the best in her sport. However, if you’re known for being a trash talker, you have to be ready to get it back even worse. After LSU defeated Clark’s Hawkeyes in the National Championship, Tigers star Angel Reese did exactly that.
Reese signaled to Clark with the “You Can’t See Me” pose that was made famous by WWE star John Cena. A call back to Clark using the pose during Iowa’s victory over Louisville. Since the moment happened with Reese, folks have been choosing sides. Some believe that what Reese did was unprofessional and classless. While others believe that things like this are a part of the game. Clark reveals what side of the debate she stands on.
Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts towards Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Clark believes that moments like this are good for the game of basketball. In an interview with Outside The Lines, Clark said she sees nothing wrong with Reese’s actions. “Men have always had trash talk. … You should be able to play with that emotion. … That’s how every girl should continue to play,” Clark stated. The basketball star went even further, saying, “I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all.” That statement by Caitlin Clark should put the entire argument to rest.
Quite possibly, the greatest Final Four in women’s basketball history has been shadowed by nonsensical debates. If anything, the trash talk between players only brought more eyes and a spotlight on the players. However, these debates should take a back seat to the performances of these women. Do you feel that Reese’s celebration was a little too much? Or do you think that something like this does make the game fun? Let us know your thoughts on the topic in the comment section below. For more of the latest news in sports, stay right here at HNHH.
Boosie Badazz called out Dave Portnoy on Twitter, Tuesday, for calling Angel Reese a “classless piece of shit.” In response to the controversial tweet, Boosie called the Barstool founder a “bitch.” Portnoy originally made the comment in response to Reese taunting Iowa’s Caitlin Clark after LSU defeated the team in the National Championship.
“DAVE POTNEY YOU A BITCH ” Bossie wrote on Twitter. “KEEP SENDING YO NUDES TO OTHER DUDES U FUCKING RACIST BITCH FREAK MONSTER.” The rapper also called out Keith Olbermann, who expressed a similar sentiment to Portnoy. “U A RACIST” he began. “Larry Bird daughter did the same thing as ANGEL n u call her that REALLY SMH. YOU THE ONE WITH NO CLASS AT ALL. Thanks @KeithOlbermann YOUVE JUST SHOWED THE WORLD HOW MUCH OF A RACIST YOU R. THEY CANT SAY NOTHING TO YOU, BUT I CAN MF n I got time.”
Boosie’s Attack On Dave Portnoy
DAVE POTNEY YOU A BITCH KEEP SENDING YO NUDES TO OTHER DUDES U FUCKING RACIST BITCHFREAK MONSTER
Portnoy later explained his remark, revealing that he bet on Iowa to win and was emotional in response to the result. “I’m in a pretty big full-fledged internet war,” Portnoy said. “That bet is a major part of probably what transpired and I can explain… I call her ‘a classless piece of shit’ and off we go… It is classless by the way… If someone does something that I don’t like in a game I’m watching, I tweet.”
He also argued that Reese’s taunt was substantially different from Caitlin Clark’s own trash-talking. “I think you’re basically lying if you’re saying what Caitlin Clark did and Angel Reese did are the same thing — they’re not,” Portnoy said. “I like trash talking. If you hit a big shot in the moment or you’re talking s–t in the moment, back and forth… I don’t care. That is not what Angel Reese did. Find me one example in any sport, of anybody, after somebody wins a championship, confetti coming down, not in a close game — and find me a player stalking the best player on the other team. It is not sexist. It does not happen. If a man did that, he would be called ‘classless’ and nobody would be saying anything.”
(@nojumper)
→ 
” Bossie wrote on Twitter. “KEEP SENDING YO NUDES TO OTHER DUDES U FUCKING RACIST BITCH