Angel Reese: A Star is Born

When the LSU Tigers took to the court to face off against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game, all eyes were on Caitlin Clark. The Iowa guard had been the talk of the tournament, putting up gaudy numbers and dazzling crowds with her electrifying play. But it was another player who would steal the show in the end: Angel Reese.

Reese, a 6'3" forward from Baltimore, Maryland, had been a force for LSU all season long. She was the team's leading scorer and rebounder, a versatile player who could score from anywhere on the court and defend multiple positions. But even so, few expected her to outshine Clark and lead her team to a national championship.

Yet that's exactly what happened. Reese put together a performance for the ages, scoring 36 points on 15-of-22 shooting and grabbing 14 rebounds to lead LSU to a 102-85 victory. She was dominant from start to finish, scoring in a variety of ways and imposing her will on the game. And when the final buzzer sounded, she had cemented her place in LSU basketball lore.

Reese's performance in the championship game was the culmination of a breakout season. She had arrived at LSU as a highly-touted freshman, a McDonald's All-American with all the physical tools to succeed at the next level. But she had also faced her share of challenges, both on and off the court.

Early in the season, Reese had struggled with her shooting. She was making just 36 percent of her field goal attempts and 22 percent of her three-pointers, numbers that were far below her potential. She had also been dealing with the pressure of being a high-profile recruit at a program with championship aspirations.

But Reese didn't let those struggles define her. Instead, she continued to work tirelessly on her game, putting in extra hours in the gym and studying film to identify areas where she could improve. And as the season wore on, her hard work began to pay off.

Reese started to find her rhythm on offense, attacking the basket with confidence and knocking down shots from the perimeter. She also became a more consistent rebounder, using her size and athleticism to corral missed shots on both ends of the floor. And perhaps most importantly, she embraced her role as a leader on the team, using her voice and her play to motivate her teammates and push them to new heights.

By the time the NCAA Tournament rolled around, Reese was firing on all cylinders. She had averaged 22.6 points and 12.2 rebounds in LSU's first five games, leading her team to wins over the likes of South Carolina, UConn, and Baylor. And in the championship game against Iowa, she put on a performance that will be remembered for years to come.

Reese's dominance on the court was matched only by her humility off it. In postgame interviews, she deflected praise to her teammates and coaches, saying that she couldn't have done it without their support. She also acknowledged the contributions of the LSU fans, who had turned out in force to cheer on their team and create a raucous atmosphere in the arena.

But even as she praised those around her, it was clear that Reese had emerged as a superstar in her own right. Her combination of size, skill, and competitiveness had made her one of the best players in the country, and her performance in the championship game had elevated her to a new level of recognition and respect.

As the LSU Tigers celebrated their championship victory, there was no doubt that Angel Reese