Angel Reese and his LSU basketball teammates traveled to the White House on Friday to celebrate their national championship victory over Iowa, albeit after some resistance from the Tigers’ top star.
The invitation to LSU became a source of controversy this year after First Lady Jill Biden said in a speech that the defeated Iowa Hawkeyes should also come to the White House “because they played such a good game” in of the NCAA Finals on April 2.
Over the past few decades, the White House has generally only hosted title winners, and Jill’s suggested departure from that tradition seemed to insult reigning national champions, including Reese.
First-team all-American known as Bayou Barbie for her glamorous social media profile, Reese said in April that she and her teammates would rather meet former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle. More recently, Reese changed her mind and said she and her teammates would meet the Bidens at the White House.
“Congratulations to the LSU Tigers again!” said Jill, who wore a purple suit to match the school’s color scheme.
Jill Biden opened Friday’s festivities by congratulating the LSU Tigers on their national title win
Angel Reese shared some snaps on Instagram, where she is often referred to as ‘Bayou Barbie’
Friday’s lightweight affair briefly seemed like an impossibility after Jill Biden suggested Iowa should also visit the White House.
“A JOKE,” she tweeted at the time, along with three laughing emojis on the floor.
On a podcast shortly after, Reese said his team should celebrate their title with Barack and Michelle Obama instead.
Reese said she was not inclined to accept Jill Biden’s apology for suggesting LSU and the Iowa runner-up be invited to the White House.
“I’m not gonna lie to you, I don’t accept apologies because of, you said what you said. I said what I said. And like, you can’t go back on some things what you say,’ Reese told podcast hosts Brandon Marshall and Ashley Nicole Moss.
“I mean, you felt like they should have come because of sportsmanship, right?” Reese added. “They can have this projector. We will go to the Obamas. We will see Michelle. We will see Barack.
Some social media commentators have noted the racial dynamics involved, saying only winners should be rewarded with a visit to the White House and that hosting both teams would hurt the success of LSU’s majority black team. .
The Iowa team is largely white. Others have noted the important role of black women in Democratic Party politics.
President Biden did not follow through on the idea, inviting only LSU and the men’s national champion from Connecticut, who visited the White House on Friday night.
Vanessa Valdivia, spokeswoman for Jill Biden, said the first lady meant no disrespect to LSU and her comments were meant to applaud the historic game and all female athletes.
Reese, the Final Four’s most outstanding player, later told ESPN in an interview that she would go to the White House because she wants to do “what’s best for the team.”
With its 102-85 triumph over the Hawkeyes, LSU’s point total was the most in a championship game by a single team. The combined total of 187 also broke the previous mark. The game also drew a television audience of 9.9 million, a record for an NCAA women’s title game.
The most memorable moment of LSU’s historic win came in the fourth quarter, when Reese appeared to taunt Iowa star Caitlin Clark with wrestler John Cena’s “you can’t see me” hand gesture. Reese added insult to injury by pointing her own finger as if to say that’s where she’ll be wearing her championship ring.
LSU’s Angel Reese shows Iowa star Caitlin Clark where his championship ring will be worn
Clark, the Associated Press Player of the Year, made a similar move to no one in particular during Iowa’s win over Louisville in the Elite Eight, and while many took offense when Reese did so, the Hawkeyes guard said there was no reason for LSU. star to criticize the incident.
‘I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all. No matter which way it goes, she should never be criticized for what she did. I’m just one who competes – and she competed,’ Clark said on ESPN’s ‘Outside the Lines’, adding: ‘I think everyone knew there would be a bit of chatter the whole tournament. . It’s not just me and Angel.’
Social media was split over Reese’s gesture, with some saying it was just part of the game and others saying Reese lacked grace in the win. Reese, who also made what appeared to be a “you’re too small” gesture multiple times after scoring in a 79-72 semi-final win over Virginia Tech, was unapologetic on Sunday night.
“All year I was criticized on who I was,” said Reese, who is black; Clark is white. “I don’t fit in a box that you want me to be in. I’m too much in the neighborhood. I’m too ghetto. But when other people do, you don’t say anything. So that was for the girls who look like me, who are going to talk about what they believe in. It’s shameless you.
Clark was asked on ESPN if there’s a difference in how people think female players should act compared to male players.
“I think men have always been trash talk…and I think more and more people, as they turn on the game, appreciate it for what it is,” Clark said. “I’m just blessed to be able to play this game and have emotion and wear it on my sleeves – and everyone else too. So it should never be torn down, it should never be criticized because I think that’s what makes this game so fun.
Clark was the first to post consecutive 40-point games in an NCAA tournament. She also told ESPN that LSU deserved the title – “they played so well” – and that she’s a “huge fan” of Reese.
Angel Reese and his teammates pose for selfies after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85
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LSU has stayed in the news since its national championship thanks to a pair of prized transfers joining the Tigers: former Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith and All-American forward Aneesah Morrow, who once played DePaul.
Reese has also stayed in the news, thanks to her large following on social media and her appearances at several high-profile events.
Meanwhile, thanks to new NCAA rules on Name, Likeness and Licensing (NIL) agreements, Reese is worth $1.4 million after making her modeling debut in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
“I’m thrilled and blessed to be able to have these opportunities to come out and be who I am,” Reese told Sports Illustrated.
