LSU Star Angel Reese Says She Was ‘Hurt’ By Jill Biden’s Comments, But Will Accept White House Invitation

LSU star forward Angel Reese says she was initially “hurt” by Jill Biden’s plan to invite both LSU and Iowa to the White House, but will accept an invitation to visit with the Bidens.

“At the beginning we were hurt, it was emotional for us because we know how hard we worked all year for everything and just being able to see that, that hurt us in the moment,” Reese, who has more than 1 million social media followers, said Friday morning on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

“But just going back on it, you don’t get that experience ever so being able to go back, and I know my team probably wants to go for sure and my coaches is supportive of that so I’m going to do what’s best for the team and if they would like to go and we decide we’re going to go, then we’re going to go.’

“But it was tough just seeing that in the beginning but I think we’ll all come together and I think it’ll be good.”

LSU announced Thursday that the team would accept the White House invitation, but there is currently no set date for a visit, an LSU spokesman told The Associated Press.

The LSU announcement came one day after Reese suggested during a podcast interview that her team should celebrate their title with former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama rather than Joe and Jill Biden.

Jill Biden eventually apologized for suggesting that both LSU and runner-up Iowa be invited to the White House, but Reese did not accept it. President Biden did not follow through on that idea, inviting only LSU and men’s national champion Connecticut.

Vanessa Valdivia, a spokesperson for Jill Biden, has said the first lady had meant no disrespect to LSU and that her comments were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. With its 102-85 triumph over the Hawkeyes, LSU’s point total was the most ever scored in a championship game by a single team. The 187 combined total also shattered the previous mark. The game also drew a television audience of 9.9 million, a record for an NCAA women’s title game.

At an appearance in Denver on Monday, Jill Biden had praised Iowa’s sportsmanship and congratulated both teams. She also said that as part of the longstanding tradition of having champions visit the White House, Iowa should come as well “because they played such a good game.”

Reese on Monday called Jill Biden’s suggestion “a joke.”

Some social media commenters noted the racial dynamics involved, saying that only winners should be rewarded with a White House visit and that hosting both teams would detract from the achievement by LSU’s team, which is predominantly Black. Led by star Caitlin Clark, the Iowa team is largely white. Others noted the important role of Black women in Democratic Party politics.

Reese, a native of Randallstown, Maryland, faced criticism on social media for mockingly waving her hand in front of her face while staring down Clark near the end of the game. Clark, The Associated Press Player of the Year, made a similar gesture to no one in particular during Iowa’s victory over Louisville in the Elite Eight.

Reese also has been touted by high-profile athletes with global followings. Seven-time Formula 1 champion driver Lewis Hamilton posted a photo of Reese on his Instagram page. And when the Memphis Grizzlies visited New Orleans this week, star guard Ja Morant made the short trip to LSU’s Baton Rouge campus for a meeting with Reese that was posted on social media.

On Friday, Reese said she would do what’s best for the team and appear at the White House.

“I’m a team player, I’m a team player, I’m going to do what’s best for the team, and I’m a captain so I know the team would love it,” she said on ESPN. “So going back home will be fun and hopefully my cousin [UConn guard Jordan Hawkins], they won the national championship too, so hopefully I get to see them there.”

(The AP contributed reporting)