“The standout from LSU revealed her intentions to join the WNBA in an interview with Vogue. Reese acknowledged that her decision was influenced by Serena Williams, who announced her retirement through the same platform in 2022. Reese had already made up her mind before the NCAA Tournament began, but the announcement came after LSU’s elimination on Wednesday.”
“Of course, I like to do everything big,” she said.
Regarding Reese’s choice to transition to the professional level, she expresses readiness for the challenge ahead. Despite being a 21-year-old senior with one remaining year of NCAA eligibility due to COVID-19 modifications, she decided to forego her fifth year at LSU.
“I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,” Reese said. “I’ve won a national championship, I’ve gotten [SEC] Player of the Year, I’ve been an All-American. My ultimate goal is to be a pro — and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready.”
In Reese’s final game as an amateur, the Tigers suffered a defeat against Iowa in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, marking the conclusion of her remarkable collegiate journey. However, this setback hasn’t dampened her confidence in pursuing a career in the WNBA.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Reese, playing as a forward, swiftly caught the attention of many after transferring to LSU to play under coach Kim Mulkey following two seasons at the University of Maryland. She rapidly rose as one of the top earners in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) realm, securing lucrative deals with prominent brands such as Beats by Dre, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and others.
In 2023, Reese catapulted to stardom by guiding the Tigers to their inaugural national championship victory, marking a historic achievement for the school.
In recent mock drafts by ESPN and CBS Sports, Reese is anticipated to be among the top picks in the 2024 WNBA Draft, with projections placing her as the seventh overall selection to the Minnesota Lynx.
The 2024 WNBA Draft is scheduled to take place on April 15th.
