Angel Reese Interview RECAP | Paper Route Ep 23

The Women’s NCAA Tournament Finals have become a focal point of basketball discussions, particularly following Angel Reese and the LSU Tigers’ victory over the Caitlyn Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes.

Angel Reese expressed displeasure with First Lady Jill Biden’s intention to invite the Iowa Hawkeyes to the White House, alongside LSU, to celebrate their achievement in women’s sports. Reese subsequently responded to Biden’s apology and revised invitation, suggesting on Twitter that they would prefer to visit the Obamas instead.

“I’m not gonna lie to you, I don’t accept the apology because of, you said what you said. … I said what I said. And like, you can’t go back on certain things that you say. I mean, you like felt like they should’ve come because of sportsmanship, right? They can have that spotlight. We’ll go to the Obamas, we’ll see Michelle, we’ll see Barack… I just know that if the roles were reversed, it wouldn’t be the same. If we were to lose, we would not be getting invited to the White House. I remember she made a comment about both teams should be invited because of sportsmanship. And I’m like, ‘Are you saying that because of what I did?’ Stuff like that, it bothers me because you are a woman at the end of the day. White, Black, it doesn’t matter, you’re a woman, you’re supposed to be standing behind us before anything.”

The comments Reese is referring to were made by Biden after the Finals, where she said, “I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House, we always do. So, we hope LSU will come. But, you know, I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.”

Accepting an invitation alongside the champions can indeed be challenging for the runner-up, as it may serve as a constant reminder of their defeat rather than a celebration of their accomplishments. It raises questions about the nature of the invitation—whether it’s a genuine recognition of their efforts or merely a symbolic gesture.

While it remains uncertain whether the Tigers will ultimately visit the White House, President Joe Biden has officially extended the invitation.

Reese faced significant backlash for making a ‘you can’t see me gesture’ toward Caitlyn Clark near the end of the tournament final. However, prominent figures like Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James have come to Reese’s defense against these critics.

A Moment of Triumph Marred by Unfortunate Controversy

Despite their victory in the most-watched women’s tournament ever, Angel Reese and her LSU teammates find themselves embroiled in controversy. Reese’s actions, mirroring a taunt previously used by Caitlyn Clark, have sparked criticism and dampened the celebratory mood.

The disparity in reactions is striking, considering the long-standing tradition of celebrating athletes who talk trash and deliver on the court. Caitlyn Clark herself received praise for similar behavior throughout the tournament. The evident role of race in shaping these responses is disheartening, casting a shadow over what should have been a triumphant moment for women’s basketball.