LSU basketball star Angel Reese celebrated the program’s recent women’s NCAA national championship with her teammates on Friday at the White House with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
The Tigers defeated Iowa last month to claim the program’s first women’s basketball national title. Reese was a key factor in the Tigers’ success last season, averaging a double-double with 23 points and 15.4 rebounds per game.
However, after the Tigers dismantled the Hawkeyes in the national title game, the First Lady initially suggested a double invitation for Iowa and LSU to attend the White House in celebration. Reese referred to the first lady’s gesture as a “joke” and suggested that the team celebrate with the Obama family instead before the White House later clarified that LSU was the only team that would be invited to the nation’s capital.
On Friday, the two met during the White House visit and Reese hugged the First Lady and President Biden after taking a photo. Reese also helped present commemorative LSU jerseys to the two members of the First Family.
LSU women's basketball star Angel Reese and First Lady Jill Biden share a hug during the team's White House visit.
— The Recount (@therecount) May 26, 2023
Reese previously said the team wouldn't visit the White House after the First Lady suggested Iowa, which lost the national title game, should be invited as well. pic.twitter.com/eufeYthEIl
Vanessa Valdivia, the White House spokesperson, previously stated the first lady “meant no disrespect” to LSU and was merely trying to praise female athletes and the extraordinary game between the two programs.
