Why Did Angel Reese Transfer To LSU? Tracing CBB Star’s Real Reason Behind Joining Kim Mulkey’s Program

The Louisiana State University Lady Tigers have attracted a lot of controversies lately. They benched their most popular college basketball player Angel Reese during the second half against the Kent State. The Bayou Barbie was then absent from the LSU’s next two games against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions and the Texas Southern Tigers. Though the LSU emerged victorious in all their last three games, the absence of Reese has floated rumors of a possible rift between the star player and head coach Kim Mulkey.

If the speculations are true then it would be quite an irony since Reese had left the Maryland Terrapins after the 2021-22 NCAA season to join the menteeship under Mulkey. And the reasons for such a drastic step looked quite valid back then.

A Star Is Born

Reese attended the St. Frances Academy as a four-year varsity player. She used her agility and size to her advantage by playing all five positions. Reese was quite a star growing up, leading her team to three consecutive Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) championships.

She was the first woman player whose jersey number was retired by St. Frances. The Maryland-born was also named the High School Female Athlete of the Year.

Reese, thus, was always a winner who signed with the Maryland because of her closeness with head coach Brenda Frese. She was also on good terms with coach Shay Robinson. In addition to basketball, Reese had also considered the good standard of academics in Maryland, choosing it over offers from 24 NCAA Division 1 programs.

As Maryland’s power forward, Reese was viewed in the Big 3 along with her teammates Ashley Owusu and Diamond Miller. She made her debut against the Davidson Wildcats and recorded a season high of 20 points. Her performance provided the impetus for her team to win against the Purdue Boilermakers when she recorded 17 points. The Terrapins clinched the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles.

Reese paved the way during the post season, smashing 19 points in a blowout win against the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, the Terrapins could not advance past the Sweet Sixteen stage since they lost to the Texas Longhorns by a close margin of 61-64. This came as a major disappointment for Reese.

Reese came back stronger the next season. She started off by basketing 21 points in a clash with the Longwood Lancers. She recorded a season-high of 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a decent win over the Miami Hurricanes.

The 21-year-old continued her on-court brilliance helping her team team advance to the Sweet 16 contest. The Maryland once again faced defeat at the hands of the Stanford Cardinal even though Reese had potted 25 points with 9 rebounds. Her efforts went in vain despite being the only Maryland player to average a double-double since 1975. She was a winner throughout who had been let down by her team.

The Winning Culture

It was under these circumstances that Reese decided to enter the transfer portal. She wanted a coach who could help her develop into a stretch four player as a part of WNBA preparations, and also match her winning attitude.

Reese soon started looking for prospective colleges. She took a visit to the LSU after the Ohio State transfer Kateri Pool suggested that they go to the college together.

When Reese came to know of Mulkey she was more than happy since the LSU head coach had led her previous team – the Balyor – to three NCAA titles and had won the championships in all her three roles – head coach, assistant coach, and player.

The LSU gave her an opportunity to be part of a “winning culture” and also valued women’s sports.