What a time to be alive for the Tigers’ women’s basketball program. The team won their first national championship in team history, and the awards are still flowing in. Earlier this week, the flow continued as LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese won Best Breakthrough Athlete at this year’s ESPYs. In her acceptance speech, following her thanks to everyone who’s helped her along the way, she had a special message for the fanbase. She will bring another championship to Baton Rouge before things are said and done.
LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese wins Best Breakthrough Athlete
Angel Reese is quickly running out of room in her trophy case. After two solid seasons at Maryland, Reese transferred to LSU and took over women’s college basketball. In her one season with the Tigers, she averaged 23.0 points, 15.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.
As if that weren’t enough, she went on to help lead her team to the national championship. Now, there are few names bigger than hers in the world of sports.
With the significant improvement she showed through the 2022-23 season, it should come as little surprise that she was awarded the 2023 Best Breakthrough Athlete award at this year’s ESPY Awards.
Reese alludes to a second national championship during ESPY acceptance speech
Angel Reese, aka the ‘Bayou Barbie,’ is no stranger to the spotlight. Throughout the 2023 offseason, she’s made appearances at several awards shows and even competed for Team USA at the 2023 Women’s AmeriCup.
So, when she got up on stage to accept her ESPY award, the entire world awaited what she had to say.
Following the acknowledgments of her team, coaches and family, she had something on her mind. She had next season on her mind and what the ultimate goal was.
“Another natty is coming, period.”
Had any other athlete or team made a statement as bold as that, it might have shocked some people. Still, with the talent on next year’s LSU women’s basketball roster, it’s nearly impossible to argue with her. It’s almost impossible to imagine a team improving after winning a national championship. Still, that’s exactly what the Tigers did.
The Tigers’ team could be even better in 2023
There’s no doubt that the losses of LaDahzia Williams and Alexis Morris are significant. Williams was huge for the Tigers’ interior defense, averaging 6.0 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game. Morris, on the other hand, was a steady ball handler who ran the offense to perfection. She was the team leader in both steals and assists in 2022.
Still, the potential is through the roof when you look at what they’ve added in the offseason. On the side of recruiting, the Tigers bring in by far the No. 1 class in the country. Out of the four signees, three come in as top 50 players in the class, including two in the top 10.
Then, the transfer class might be even better, as they gained commitments from the top two transfers in the portal. Guard Hailey Van Lith is one of the best players offensively in the country and should step in seamlessly for Alexis Morris. Meanwhile, Aneesah Morrow is a dominant presence inside, having averaged 12.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in 2022.
What Angel said during her ESPY acceptance speech might not be that bold after all. A second national championship is well within reach; it would surprise if they don’t repeat in 2024.
The Tigers have one of the most talented rosters we’ve ever seen in women’s college basketball. The biggest challenge for the squad will be to stay hungry and play together as a team. If they can do that, the sky is truly the limit, and Angel Reese is more than valid in her confidence.
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