Previously: Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith, standout players of the LSU women’s basketball team, face pivotal decisions this week. As seniors, they have until late Wednesday evening to finalize their basketball futures: either to extend their collegiate careers at LSU for a fifth and final year or to enter the WNBA Draft and pursue a professional path. Although the deadline for entering the WNBA Draft passed at the end of March for all college players, those whose teams were still competing in the NCAA Women’s Tournament were granted an extension, allowing them to delay their decision until 48 hours after their final game.
Recently: In an interview with “Vogue,” Angel Reese, a standout player for LSU women’s basketball, announced on Wednesday her decision to enter the WNBA draft later this month.

Reese led the Tigers to a national championship the previous year, capping off her final college season on Monday night with a loss to Iowa in the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight. 

“I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,” I’ve won a national championship. I’ve gotten SEC player of the year. I’ve been an all-American. My ultimate goal is to be a pro — and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready.” Reese said in the interview in Vogue.

Arriving before the 2022–2023 season, the forward’s transfer to the Tigers made a significant impact. She played a pivotal role as the program secured its first national championship, averaging 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds, earning her the title of Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament.

A new stage calls for perfectionist, no more weaknesses:

Although expected to be a top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, her junior season’s production did not match her previous standards. Reese averaged 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game for LSU, concluding with a 31-6 record. In women’s college basketball, Reese ranks second in NIL value, trailing only Clark.

This decrease in productivity could be attributed to LSU head coach Kim Mulkey’s strategic changes, including the addition of Aneesah Morrow and Hailey Van Lith to the roster, along with the recruitment of Mikaylah Williams, one of the top prospects in the 2023 class. Notably, Reese’s usage rate dropped to a personal low of 26.9 percent.

Furthermore, Reese’s game revealed several discernible weaknesses, notably a limited scoring range, particularly concerning her three-point shooting. With WNBA teams increasingly prioritizing floor spacing, Reese’s career record of only 5-of-32 three-pointers raises concerns about her adaptability to the league’s evolving demands.