LSU women’s basketball player Angel Reese has decided to enter the WNBA Draft. Reese, who had an important role in leading the Tigers to their first NCAA championship last season, will be remembered as one of LSU women’s basketball’s finest players.
Reese had one more year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 year, but she has chosen to move forward into the WNBA.
Angel Reese set to enter 2024 WNBA draft
Angel Reese has decided to take it to the next level by entering the 2024 WNBA Draft. This decision follows LSU’s loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight, where Reese had to choose between going pro or utilizing an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19.
In an interview with Vogue, Reese went public with her decision that she will indeed be starting her professional career this year.
“I accomplished everything I wanted to in college,” Reese told Vogue. “I’ve won a national championship, been named (Southeastern Conference) Player of the Year, and earned All-American honors. My ultimate goal is to become a professional basketball player and one of the greatest to have ever played. I feel like I’m prepared.”
Reese is expected to be among the top four to eight picks based on her impressive performance at LSU, averaging a double-double of 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.
Off the court, Reese’s value extends beyond her game statistics. She ranks highly in Name, Image, and Likeness value, second only to Caitlin Clark, and has secured sponsorship deals with major brands like Goldman Sachs, Topps, Beats by Dre, and Reebok.
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Reese was a top prospect in high school. It significantly impacted when she transferred to LSU, helping them win their first national title in 2023 under coach Kim Mulkey. Now, with her eyes set on the WNBA Draft taking place on April 15, Reese is poised to make her mark in professional basketball when the 2024 WNBA season kicks off in May.
What are potential landing spots for Angel Reese?
Angel Reese’s college basketball journey has been impressive, from her initial days at Maryland to shining brightly at LSU. As shared in an interview with Vogue Magazine, she’s now set to transition to the WNBA. Experts predict she’ll be among the top 5 picks in the upcoming 2024 WNBA Draft, with potential destinations including the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, Washington Mystics, or Minnesota Lynx.
Reese, who joined LSU in 2022 after two seasons at Maryland, played an important role in leading the Lady Tigers to their first national championship in women’s basketball. In the championship game, they defeated Iowa 102-85, where Reese showcased her skills with 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block. She was rightfully honored as the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Throughout the season, Reese maintained impressive averages of 23.0 points, 15.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game, setting her up as a strong contender for the WNBA entry. Despite this, she returned to LSU for another season, aiming for back-to-back success.
Reese led LSU to an Elite Eight appearance in the following season, although they fell short against Iowa in a rematch. She delivered a stellar performance with 17 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals, proving her prowess on the court.
Now, Reese faces a decision on whether to stay at LSU for another shot at the championship or enter the WNBA Draft, similar to her counterpart Caitlin Clark. It seems the player has already taken that leap of faith. Several teams are keen on recruiting her talents if she does, in fact, enter the draft.
Make sure to tell us what you think about Reese’s decision; we would love to hear about it.
