Angel Reese’s time at LSU may be over, but her influence is still being felt throughout the program. The former Tigers forward returned to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Thursday night to a special surprise from the current roster, with every player wearing her custom T-shirt.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
For head coach Kim Mulkey, however, the moment represented something much bigger. Speaking during the post-game press conference, a video of which was shared on the LSU Tigers on TigerBait YouTube channel, she reflected on how Reese’s success continues to help and impact the program.
“For them to see her walk into that locker room, and they all had her shirt on. They can be Angel one day,” Mulkey said. “All of them watched her play when she was here. Because she played here, it helped us recruit those players. And I just think everybody’s got to have somebody they look up to. And when you think about how we’re all in purple and gold, and we’re LSU people, it’s a proud locker room.”
Angel Reese made the emotional, historic return to LSU just days after completing her WNBA season with the Atlanta Dream, where she earned 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors and helped lead the team to the WNBA Finals. Specifically, she attended the Tigers’ second game of the season against the Texas Southern Tigers, giving the program an opportunity to welcome back one of its most celebrated former players.
And, of course, beyond the heartwarming gesture of wearing her custom T-shirts in the locker room, the LSU Tigers also welcomed Reese back the only way they knew how: by making basketball history.
With Reese watching from the sidelines alongside Mulkey, the No. 9-ranked Tigers dismantled Texas Southern 131-22. The staggering 109-point gap officially broke the record for the largest margin of victory in Division I women’s basketball history.
Reese was also honored with a massive halftime presentation, receiving a roaring standing ovation from the purple-and-gold faithful. Reflecting on her return, she shared just how deeply sentimental the school remains to her.
“It’s nostalgic,” Reese said. “I got the Bayou Barbie name here and was able to grow my brand here, but also as a basketball player. This is home. As you can see, the crowd loves me here, and I just appreciate that and being able to see women’s basketball continuing to grow.”
Angel Reese played for LSU for two seasons, from 2022 to 2024, under Kim Mulkey. After spending her first two years of college basketball at the University of Maryland (2020–2022), she transferred to LSU ahead of the 2022/23 season. And during her brief but legendary two-year run under Mulkey, she completely revolutionised the program.
She led the Tigers to their first-ever NCAA National Championship victory in 2023 and was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. And in her second season, the 2023/24 campaign, Reese was named SEC Player of the Year while leading LSU to the Elite Eight before declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Despite most of the current LSU roster arriving in Baton Rouge after Reese had transitioned to the WNBA, her legendary presence clearly made a massive impression. The excitement surrounding her surprise appearance was perhaps best captured by Anna Minaeva, LSU’s 17-year-old freshman center from Russia, who spoke alongside Reese and Mulkey during the post-game press conference.
“I’m so excited that Angel Reese is here and I’m here, and we are here together. So, I was so shocked when I saw her first time in my life. So, I’m really glad that she’s here. And she visits us,” LSU freshman Anna Minaeva said while reacting to Reese’s visit.
Like Mulkey said, Angel Reese is indeed the kind of player every LSU Tiger would want to look up to and emulate.
After leaving Baton Rouge, she went on to become the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft, where she was selected by the Chicago Sky. And the just-concluded WNBA season saw her lead the Atlanta Dream to the WNBA Finals, where they unfortunately fell to the Golden State Valkyries after a dramatic, winner-takes-all Game 7.