On Thursday, Angel Reese returned to No. 7 LSU, bringing hope to the Lady Tigers that they still have what it takes to win the NCAA title. In a repeat of last season’s Final Four, the Tigers pulled off an 82-64 upset victory over No. 9 Virginia Tech, which is their best win of the season.

Despite an 8-1 record, the Tigers haven’t had a good start to the season. Furthermore, this victory marked LSU head coach Kim Mulkey’s 700th win of her career, making her the fastest coach in NCAA basketball history to reach this milestone.

Shaq’s staunch support to Angel Reese

Shaquille O’Neal is excited to see Angel Reese in action. Fans were thrilled that Reese played the game after she confirmed her availability on Wednesday. O’Neal, who had previously praised Angel, is happy to have her back.

The Bayou Barbie was happy to be back as well and insisted that she was a human being rather than just an athlete. She added, “This too shall pass,” pointing to the support Shaq has extended to her. When Reese was questioned about the support she had in her difficult times, two names popped up from her mouth: Mom and Shaq. They have been there for her every single day since day one of her suspension.

“My mom, of course, but I’ll talk to Shaq every day. We face-timed every day, and he checked on me and called me every single day to make sure I was good and said, ‘This too shall pass. This too shall pass; he’s been here before; he knows what it takes and to have somebody like that was really good for me.”

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Shaq’s excitement on her return

The LSU Tigers have announced that Angel Reese will be rejoining the team following a four-game hiatus. Prior to their Thursday night matchup against No. 9 Virginia Tech, Reese is expected to join the seventh-ranked Tigers. “Angel’s back,” LSU Tigers women’s basketball team coach Kim Mulkey declared at a press conference on Wednesday.

Reese is thrilled to hear this news as well as that of Shaquille O’Neal, whom she lovingly refers to as her “Uncle.” Reese and Shaq have become close over time and have shown their affection for one another often. On his Instagram stories, The Big Fella expressed gratitude for his “niece” by sharing a report that revealed Angel Reese would be rejoining the LSU Tigers.

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