LSU WBB: Kim Mulkey Speaks Out Amid Angel Reese Suspension Rumors

Mulkey addressed the media on Monday following a victory over Texas Southern, defended her star.

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese remains away from the program after missing her second consecutive game for unspecified reasons.

Reese, a National Champion and key component to the success of Kim Mulkey's squad, was benched in the second half of last Tuesday's contest against Kent State and hasn't seen the floor since.

The rumor mill has been all over the place on this one and Mulkey remains silent regarding the status of her star player.

Reese missed Friday night's victory over Southeastern where Mulkey provided a blunt answer surrounding the All-American forward. 

Now, after Monday's win over Texas Southern, Mulkey kept the situation close to the vest once again. 

"I'm going to give you the same answer. Angel was not in uniform tonight and Angel is a part of this basketball team," Mulkey said. "Angel will be back sooner than later."

The reigning National Champions have been in the spotlight ever since assembling a super team down South. The Tigers added Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow, the Top 2 transfers in the portal during the offseason as this program reloaded for the 2023-24 season.

Mulkey spoke on being in the spotlight and dealing with in-house situations:

"That's just part of coaching. In 40 years, I can't ever think of a time where I didn't have to deal with issues," Mulkey said. "Sometimes y'all know about them and sometimes you don't. Sometimes you want to know more than you are entitled to know.

"I'm going to protect my players, always. They are more important. That's a family in that locker room. That's a family. It really doesn't matter what I say to you guys, you write and interpret things to way you want to. Some of you wrote some things I never said. I never used some of the words some of y'all wrote. Just write what I tell you. This is no different. Those kids are like my children, and I'm not going to tell you what you don't need to know. That's just the way I address things."

1. Kim Mulkey on the Angel Reese situation:
- Reese remains with the program.
- Unclear whether she is practicing/will travel to Cayman Islands.

2. Keeping it in-house:
"Sometimes you want to know more than you're entitled to know. I'm going to protect my players. Always." pic.twitter.com/DyZdk01KsC

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) November 21, 2023

A Potential Return Date for Reese: Virginia Tech on Nov. 30

The Tigers leave this week for their trip to the Cayman Islands for their tournament over Thanksgiving break and all signs point towards Reese not making the trip.

The Tigers will lace up their shoes on Friday, Nov. 24 against Niagara in the Cayman Island Classic followed by a showdown against Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 25.

After the trip, LSU is off until their Final Four rematch against Virginia Tech on Nov. 30. For now, all signs point towards a *potential* return against the Hokies, but things could change before then.

Here's what Mulkey said of Reese before the season began:

“She just understands the spotlight is on her,” Mulkey told Taylor Rooks ahead of the Colorado game. “I don’t think she realized how quickly it came in how hard it came at her. But as I tell her, to whom much is given much as expected. You brought this, you earned this. You wanted this, now grow up and lead us and she wants to continue to get better in her game. She wants to continue to get better with her leadership.