You don’t know LSU’s Angel Reese, but Hailey Van Lith and Flau’jae Johnson do

After a heartbreaking, gutwrenching loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes, Kim Mulkey was joined at the postgame press conference by her three star players; Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, and Hailey Van Lith.

All three athletes were visibly emotional from the loss but the most noticeable thing in the room was their support for each other.

“We’ve seen everything this year. We have been through so much adversity so I’m more than proud of this team,” Reese said. “Being able to come out tonight and give it our all, we fell short but we can hold our heads high.”

Reese recorded 17 points, 20 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks before she fouled out with just 1:45 remaining in the game.

Throughout her career at LSU, Reese has been repeatedly knocked down on social media by people who claim to be fans of the sport. Her teammates were quick to grab their mics and share true words of kindness for Reese.

“Y’all don’t know Angel Reese… I know Angel Reese,” Johnson said. “Y’all don’t know Angel bro, and I’m just happy I get to play with her and be around her, her presence.”

Van Lith, who transferred to LSU from Louisville before the 2023 season, was frequently torn down on social media as people claimed that she was being overshadowed by Reese.

“She comes to practice every day,” Van Lith said. “Y’all do not get to Angel Reese.”

Reese, after a few more questions finally got to speak on her own experience regarding how people treat her online, despite her performances on the court and despite her efforts to simply inspire the next group of young girls to pick up a basketball.

“I don’t really get to speak out on things ‘cause I just really try to ignore it. I’ve been through so much, I’ve seen so much,” Reese said. “I wouldn’t change, I wouldn’t change anything, I’m unapologetically me.”

Mulkey allowed for the entire first portion of the press conference to be focused on her players, she gave the three Tigers the platform that they so wildly deserve.

“They are young people who are on social media and that’s their teammate,” Mulkey said. “It sounded like something they’ve been wanting to get off their chest so I just listened like you guys did.”

Before you post the next negative thing about a player, a college student, a person, just take a moment to think before you press send.

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