DALLAS (AP) — LSU’s Angel Reese waved her hand in entrance of her face whereas staring down Caitlin Clark, then pointed towards her finger as if to say a hoop was coming whereas strolling towards the Iowa star.
The gestures late within the Tigers’ 102-85 victory within the NCAA championship recreation Sunday lit up social media, with feedback supporting the “Bayou Barbie” for trash discuss that is simply a part of the sport and condemning her for missing grace in victory.
The bubbly junior from Baltimore, who transferred from Maryland to hitch flamboyant LSU coach Kim Mulkey, was unapologetic within the postgame information convention.
“All yr, I used to be critiqued about who I used to be,” Reese stated. “I don’t slot in a field that y’all need me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. However when different folks do it, y’all say nothing. So this was for the women that appear to be me, that’s going to talk up on what they consider in. It’s unapologetically you.”
Clark, the scoring sensation who was the primary with consecutive 40-point video games in an NCAA Event, made the face-waving gesture to nobody particularly throughout an Elite Eight victory over Louisville.
The Related Press Participant of the Yr wasn’t shy about displaying her feelings when the Hawkeyes knocked off undefeated defending nationwide champion South Carolina within the semifinals.
If she noticed Reese’s gestures, Clark did not appear involved about them.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to get to the handshake line and shake arms and be grateful that my crew was in that place,” stated Clark, who scored 30 factors. “That’s all you are able to do is maintain your head excessive, be pleased with what you probably did. All of the credit score on the earth to LSU. They had been super.”
In a 79-72 semifinal victory over Virginia Tech, Reese made what seemed to be a “you are too small” gesture a number of instances after scoring across the basket.
The trendy 6-foot-3 submit with modeling aspirations is changing into a social media magnet. Reese wooed Lil Wayne after chastising the rapper from New Orleans for reaching out to Elite Eight opponent Miami earlier than doing the identical with the Tigers.
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“I’m going to be me, however I can’t do it with out the women right here, and I can’t do it with out the remainder of my teammates and coaches,” stated Reese, who had 15 factors and 10 rebounds whereas three teammates scored not less than 20 factors
“Twitter can say what Twitter can say,” she stated. “I really like studying these feedback. I’ve all of the screenshots of what everyone has stated about me all season. What are you going to say now?”
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Extra AP protection of March Insanity: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25