Basketball

Angel Reese leads LSU to Final Four with deepened faith: 'I've been a lot closer to God'

By Joshua Doering Mar 27, 2023
LSU's Angel Reese dribbles the ball during the Tigers' Elite Eight game against Miami on March 26, 2023.

Angel Reese came to Louisiana State looking for — in her words — more. Now headed to the Final Four as an Associated Press first-team All-American, she’s found what she wanted in more ways than one.

The Baltimore, Maryland, native began her college career at the University of Maryland and decided to transfer after averaging a double-double for the Terrapins last season.

>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<

“A fresh start, that’s what I came to LSU for,” Reese said after the Tigers’ 54-42 win over Miami on Sunday. “I just wanted a fresh start. I’ve done things in my past that I kind of regret. I mean, there’s things that I’ve done. But I came from Maryland and I succeeded at Maryland, but I wanted more. And more was to get better every single day and then cut down nets one day.”

Reese stuffed the stat sheet against the Hurricanes with 13 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks, leading the Tigers to their first Final Four appearance since 2008. She is averaging 22.3 points and 17.3 rebounds during LSU’s NCAA Tournament run, and Sunday’s double-double was her 32nd of the season, which set a new SEC record.

A first-team All-Big Ten selection last season, Reese has become one of the most dominant players in the country since joining LSU. She is fifth in the nation in scoring (23.2 points per game) and second in rebounding (15.7 rebounds per game).

During Sunday’s postgame press conference, Reese explained how prayer plays in integral role in her pregame routine. She prays and does a devotion every morning, prays with assistant director for women’s basketball operations/recruiting Chante’ Crutchfield, prays by herself again, and then prays one more time before the game.

Reese also said her journey from Maryland to LSU strengthened her relationship with God.

“This year has been something that I’ve been a lot closer to God, and I think that’s why I’m here right now in this position,” she said. “A year ago — it’s crazy how my life changed in a year. I was back home by this time.”

Reese is not shy about sharing her faith on social media either. She posted a picture on Instagram of her holding the regional championship trophy with the caption, “God specializes in things that don’t make sense. GOD DID.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ANGEL REESE (@angelreese10)

She gave glory to God after being named an All-American as well.

Now 32-2 on the season and two wins away from its first national title in program history, LSU will arrive at the Final Four in Dallas full of confidence.

“The sky’s the limit. I think we just believe,” Reese said ahead of the Miami game. “We keep believing and keep believing. We’ve been through so much throughout the season and just being able to be in this moment right now, I’m having so much excitement, but knowing that there’s more. There’s more that can be done.”

The Tigers will know Monday night who their next opponent is. They’ll face either Virginia Tech or Ohio State, while Iowa will face Maryland or South Carolina in the other national semifinal.

The Final Four games are at 7 and 9 p.m. ET on Friday and can be seen on ESPN.

RELATED STORIES:
– UCLA coach Cori Close finds joy in Christ ahead of Sweet 16 matchup vs. S. Carolina
– Villanova star Maddy Siegrist puts ‘faith first’ as nation’s leading scorer
– Yolett McPhee-McCuin leads Ole Miss to Sweet 16, wants people to see God through her
– Yolett McPhee-McCuin leads Ole Miss to Sweet 16, hopes people see God through her
– Aliyah Boston says ‘thanks goes to God’ as South Carolina ends regular season 32-0

Tags: