On the heels of leading LSU to a historic national title win over Iowa, star forward Angel Reese spoke Monday about how she plans to handle the criticism she’s received for her in-and-post-game celebration on Sunday.
Reese, the 2023 tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, faced backlash after pointing at her ring finger in the direction of Iowa star Caitlin Clark and unleashing a “Can’t See Me” gesture as a nod to Clark’s past celebrations. Appearing on Monday’s NBA Today, Reese shared with ESPN’s Malika Andrews her desire to channel the negativity and turn it into something positive by using her platform to “stand up” for girls without a voice.
“I want to take on that role of being the Black woman that’s going to stand up for the girls that may not have a voice,” Reese told Andrews. “So, I’m happy I can be the role model, and the person that everyone looks up to and, even, just the one that can say those things that people may not want to say so I’m just happy right now.”
Andrews then asked Reese, who said Sunday her celebration was “for the people that look like me,” what her message would be to the girls who witnessed all that she had been through. The 20-year-old sophomore echoed her previous remarks about not fitting in the box others want to put her in with her reply, saying, “Just keep being you,” before speaking more about her unwavering self-confidence.
“I’ve always just stood in my skin, and just being able to be proud in who I am,” she said. “I don’t care what anybody has to say about me. I love who I am. I’m Angel Reese, and I feel like I’ve grown to be this person where everybody loves me for who I am and I think that’s because I’m authentically me.”
.@Reese10Angel spoke handling the criticism she's received:
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 3, 2023
"I want to take on that role of being the Black woman that's going to stand up for the girls that may not have a voice. ... I don't care what anybody has to say about me. I love who I am. ... I'm authentically me." pic.twitter.com/RJOyFR3xBz
While Reese’s celebration may go down as the lasting image of Sunday’s title game, her inspiring future goal as well as her dominant performance on Sunday should not be overshadowed by the now-infamous moment with Clark.
After recording 15 points and 10 rebounds against the Hawkeyes, Reese made NCAA history with her 34th double-double of the season, giving her the most ever in a single season in women’s Division I history.
