by Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton
It was Senior Day for the women’s basketball team at Louisiana State University, and Angel Reese was escorted by an even bigger star at the arena on Sunday, March 3. Reese was proudly escorted to the game by an alumni of the school, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.
LSU was honoring the seniors on the team, Reese and Hailey Van Lith, for possibly their last home game at the arena. Shaq, who has become close with Reese, appeared at the game wearing a black T-shirt with Reese’s name on the front.
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The TNT commentator walked out with Reese and her mother as she was being introduced at the gymnasium.
Shaq is escorting Angel Reese, along with her mom, for Senior Day ceremony.#LSU pic.twitter.com/QHWnk66ina
The game took place at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at the university. While the crowd was cheering on the players and the team, fans were heard yelling out, “One more year!” according to The Associated Press. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the world, the NCAA has given players the option of playing another year if they want to. Reese says she is unsure of what she will do and will not think about it until after the season ends.
“The fan base here is amazing and of course, I probably would never see anything like this again,” said Reese. “You think about that when you’re trying to make a decision because I do love LSU … and the support here that made me who I am.”
LSU played against Kentucky on Sunday, and Reese scored 22 points, pulled down 14 rebounds, and had five blocks and three steals. LSU is primed to enter the playoffs to try to repeat as NCAA champions. But first, they have to play in the SEC tournament in Greenville, South Carolina. Finishing as the No. 2 seed and earning a double bye, they are slated to play in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 8.
Reese is averaging 19 points and 13 rebounds as the Tigers, ranked No. 9 in the nation, defeated Kentucky 77-56.
Source: Black Enterprise
