Angel Reese finally explains her mysterious disappearance at LSU

Reese said she wasn't herself when an uproar erupted on social media over her lack of focus after LSU lost its first game against Colorado since winning the 2023 national championship.

“When I came back to training, the atmosphere was kind of weird,” she said. “Obviously the energy at training was pretty weird because everyone was thinking, 'We just lost our first game, we don't know what to do,' and then our next game wasn't for another two weeks.

“I didn't feel like it was a good mental state for my own team and myself to be in and just do my best… Kim Mulkey and I were kind of arguing about something. [in the Kent State game]which is normal, and I spent the second half respectfully.

“After the game, she and I talked about what to do next and it was just best for me to take some time off. I didn't go to the Cayman Islands with the team. [to play in the Cayman Islands Classic] and it wasn't because of anything else. It was because of me and Coach Mulkey that we were able to build that kind of relationship.

“People said I was suspended, wasn't playing because of my GPA, I was pregnant, all these crazy things. Everything they could think of, and they didn't even know what was going on.”

Reese explained that she was not feeling well and did not want her attitude to affect her team.

“I never had a 1.1 GPA,” she said. “No kids… I had a lot going on and it rubbed off on other people. I felt like I was moody and uncomfortable inside and I didn't want that to turn into a cancer in the locker room.”

“I didn't have a break that summer. I did photo shoots. I was in the gym. I did everything… I went to USA Basketball. I didn't have time for anything else. It was a hard time for me, but it was a time I needed for myself.”

Reese continued to defend Mulkey and denied the claim that she did not protect her at the time.

“That was probably the hardest time of my life because I never took a break from basketball and I didn't realize how important mental health is, and I wasn't really aware of that,” she said. “… While [the team] I went to the Cayman Islands, my mom came over for Thanksgiving dinner and it was just a fresh start.

“I'm back with the team and I've been training with the team. They missed me and they were texting me all the time… When I came back, I felt like myself again. And having that relationship with my coach Kim is something I really love.

“…She didn't say outright that I was suspended, she didn't say anything. People made assumptions about what was going on. And just having a coach like that protected my brand. A lot of people thought she didn't protect me. She protected me as best as she could, and I'll always respect that about her.”

Mulkey declined to provide any further information, but told reporters that Reese was part of the LSU women's basketball team during her absence.

Reese added that she is no longer as close to her former teammate, LSU guard Flau'jae Johnson, with whom she won an NCAA championship in 2023.

Johnson, who is entering her third year at LSU while pursuing a burgeoning rap career, became one of the faces of the Name, Image and Likeness era, along with Reese and LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne.

“I still support Flau'jae. We're not as close as we used to be,” Reese said. “And there's no hard feelings or anything, but we're not as close as we used to be.”

Reese added that she will return to LSU “soon” to support the team.

“The love is not lost, but we are not as close as we once were,” she said.

The Sky selected Reese from LSU with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

The All-Star striker is averaging a double-double in her rookie season.