LSU sophomore guard Frauge Johnson gets emotional after coming under fire from critics Monday night after the Tigers’ 94-87 loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight ended any hopes of a March Madness repeat. He fiercely defended his teammate Angel Reese.
Johnson, who led third-seeded LSU with 23 points, told reporters that Reese has been misunderstood and demonized on a national level because of all the attention.
“Everyone can have an opinion about Angel Reese, but you don’t know her,” the 20-year-old Johnson said at a postgame news conference in Albany. “You don’t know Angel Reese. I know Angel Reese. I know the real Angel Reese, and this person I meet every day is a strong, caring, loving person. He is a deep person.”
Reese, 21, wiped away tears on the podium as Johnson praised her as a leader.
“The crown she wears is heavy. She’s the type of teammate that makes you believe in yourself,” the “Big 4” rapper continued. “When I made the leap from first grade to second grade, Angel gave me the confidence to be a dog. I play next to a dog every day. And how the media mocks her. To know, we went through our own problems but this is my sister here and I’m so proud of her…how they twisted it I don’t know if you guys like to call a villain or an angel. I’m really happy to be able to play with her and be near her, her presence, her energy is different. She is It makes me a better player…and that’s what great players do.”
LSU senior guard Haley Van Reth went on to echo Johnson’s comments, praising Reese’s toughness while dealing with a lot of hate from critics.
“You all stay away from her. Let me say it again: You’re not going to get to Angel Wreath, so you might as well give up. Throw in the towel. Don’t waste your energy. Angel is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around,” Van Lith said.
“Angel is one of the toughest people I’ve ever met. People put hateful words into her life, I’ve never seen people wish bad things on someone as much as she does.” . And it doesn’t affect her. She comes to practice every day, lives her life every day, lives how she wants to live. And she doesn’t let anyone change that. And that is the key to life.”
Swin Cash, a three-time WNBA champion and current vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans, also shared his support for Reese.
“@Reese10Angel, this world can be cruel sometimes, but you are loved and supported by so many people you’ve never met!” wrote the cash In X’s post earlier Tuesday. “Prayer warriors are standing in the gap for you, my love. Keep your chin up, your crown straight, and know that this too shall pass! Greater than He is I.” ”
Reese had 17 points and 20 rebounds in 36 minutes, fouling out just under two minutes into the fourth quarter.
The All-American forward watched from the bench as Iowa guard Caitlin Clark scored 41 points to help the No. 1 Hawkeyes defeat the reigning champion Tigers.
After the game, she became emotional as she explained how she has coped with the scrutiny of the nation since leading LSU to its first-ever women’s national title last year against Iowa.
“I can’t stand up for myself,” Reese said, wiping away tears. “I don’t really have a say in things because I just ignore (them). I’m just trying to stand strong. … I’ve been through a lot. I’ve seen a lot. I… I’ve been attacked so many times, I’ve received death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been blackmailed, I’ve been through so much, but each time I’ve stood strong.
“What I always want them to know is that I’m still human. All of this has happened since I won the national championship, but I just said the other day that I’m happy since then.” I said I didn’t. I’m sorry, but that doesn’t change me. I’m not going to change anything, and I’m still going to sit here and unapologetically say that I am who I am.”
According to On3, Reese rose to prominence after last year’s title fight and is now one of NIL’s top earners with a current valuation of $1.8 million.
Her NIL deals include Raising Cane’s, Coach, McDonald’s, Wingstop, Outback Steakhouse, Campus Ink, Caktus AI, Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge, SI Swimsuit, Mielle, Starry, Final Fantasy XVI, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and ZOA Energy It is included. .
The Baltimore native appeared in the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, which was released last May.
Reese has the option of returning to LSU for another year or declaring for a first-round selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Hit According to WNBA rules, Players whose teams advance to the Elite Eight must opt in within 48 hours of their last game.
The WNBA Draft will be held in Brooklyn on April 15th.
