A player getting benched is not earth-shattering news. Coaches have to make those decisions. However, things get a bit more interesting when that player is All-American Angel Reese.
A lot of eyes have been on the LSU Lady Tigers since they won a national championship early this year. The team skyrocketed to the top of news cycles after meeting Iowa in the women’s NCAA tournament, and Angel Reese dropped a John Cena troll job on Caitlin Clark.
Since that moment, expectations have been high for LSU, who opened the 2023-2024 season with a No.1 ranking on November 6. But, two weeks later, there is possible trouble brewing in the bayou.
Angel Reese has been inexplicably benched, and fans want to know why. Let’s dive in with what we know so far as this story continues to unfold:
Colorado stunned LSU in their season opener, and Reese played in that game
LSU had no answer for Jaylyn Sherrod and the Colorado Buffaloes.
Reese had 15 points and 12 rebounds but was just 6-of-15 from the field after she couldn’t make several looks right under the basket. As more time ticked off the clock, Head Coach Kim Mulkey looked visibly frustrated.
LS-Who?#GeauxBuffs pic.twitter.com/sLfQuNQKv1
— Colorado Women's Basketball 🦬 (@CUBuffsWBB) November 7, 2023
— No Context College Basketball (@ContextFreeCBB) November 7, 2023
Eight days later, Mulkey mysteriously benched Reese in the second half against Kent State
On November 14, en route to a 109-79 win, Reese didn’t see the court in the second half against Kent State. She played only 13 minutes (a departure from her 25-minute average over the previous three games) and scored just 11 points.
After the game, Mulkey explained it was a “coach’s decision.”
Angel Reese did not come back in during the 2nd half and Kateri Poole did not enter the game today for LSU.
When asked postgame, Kim Mulkey deemed it a “coach’s decision” pic.twitter.com/hVVKJP80Tb
— Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) November 15, 2023
Then, Mulkey strategically deflected more questions about Reese after she missed a November 17 matchup against Southeastern Louisiana
Speculation on social media began swirling when Reese did not travel with the team to play Southeastern Louisiana. Amid Reese’s absence, transfer Aneesha Morrow was inserted into the lineup.
After the game, when questioned, Mulkey provided little explanation, saying that the team hoped “to see her sooner rather than later.”
Angel Reese is not with LSU for their game tonight vs. Southeastern Louisiana, per LSU Sports Radio Network. pic.twitter.com/WmlEfHYSV6
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 18, 2023
"It's very obvious Angel was not in uniform … We hope to see her sooner rather than later."
Kim Mulkey on Angel Reese not attending LSU's game vs. Southeastern Louisiana.
(via @JacquesDoucet)pic.twitter.com/Y3y06GoehL
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 18, 2023
After virtual silence on Reese's end, the LSU star delivered a message on X
Amid more speculation and calls of support from players like South Carolina’s Raven Johnson and former LSU hooper Alexis Morris, Reese broke her social media silence on X (formerly known as Twitter).
please don’t believe everything you read.
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) November 19, 2023
On the other end, Mulkey maintained a virtual veil of silence and indicated that whatever the issue is, it will stay in-house
Reporters and other media continue to probe for more answers on Reese, but Mulkey has side-stepped nearly all questions. She says that not everything needs to be shared and that the media should write what she tells them.
Mulkey maintains that what’s happening with Reese is a “family issue” and will not be talked about.
Kim Mulkey not spilling the tea on Angel Reese's absence.
Says not everything needs to be shared. #LSU pic.twitter.com/BBBtyccHaX
— Michael Cauble (@Cauble) November 21, 2023
"Sometimes you want to know more than you're entitled to know. I'm going to protect my players. Always."@LSUwbkb @KimMulkey on Angel Reese situation.
"If you do some disciplining of your own children, do you think we're entitled to know that?" #LSU @WAFB pic.twitter.com/n71pGbghwu
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) November 21, 2023
