The Bayou Barbie is back! It’s time for the LSU star Angel Reese’s comeback after staying away from the hardwood for 4 consecutive games. Although, the Lady Tigers did manage to win without her, however, it’s going to be a different trip when the team assembles in its full formation as Coach Kim Mulkey announces her return to the court.

Evidently, the #7 ranked LSU will be having a face-off with #9 Virginia Tech tonight. Notably, Reese has been missing from the LSU Lady Tigers’ starting lineup in the past 4 games ever since she was shown the bench in the second half during the matchup against Kent State. Meanwhile, Angel’s absence has raised many bizarre speculations on social media. Let’s see what Coach Kim Mulkey has to say about that.

Kim Mulkey stands in Angel Reese’s defense

While addressing the media on Wednesday, Coach Kim Mulkey announced Angel Reese’s return after she was nowhere to be found in the last 4 games. However, the big news, Coach Mulkey’s statement took all the spotlight as reporters asked questions derived from wild social media speculations.

Coach Mulkey noted, “I feel like people want the truth but I’m also going to do what I’m going to protect my players I struggle with that. So let’s stay here I see you got other questions I want to get it out.”

That’s not even the best part, but her reply to a reporter’s urge to give out the reason why Angel didn’t play in the last 4 games. She says without stuttering, “No it wouldn’t, you guys know that, you know, you guys know that. That’s the world we live in now, some of you guys live in that world. I could give you the exact whatever you were looking for and there were still going to be things written that you interpreted the way you wanted to interpret it.”

READ MORE: 5 Days Into Benching Angel Reese, Kim Mulkey Invites More Trouble With Controversial Take

Kim Mulkey is one of the most successful coaches for a reason. Although, she has an intense and demanding style of coaching, however, she knows to remain on her feet even when her team is leading by a big margin.

Coach Mulkey knows how to protect her team

Coach Mulkey is widely known for bringing out the best in the players and thus assembling a winning culture. Moreover, she understands the fact that different players respond to different ways of communication, and that’s how she adjusts her approach towards all of them. But more importantly, she knows when and how to protect her team.

Evidently, in the interview itself, she talks about the non-disclosure that prevails in regard to the team’s locker room. “There’s also what’s called the sacredness of a locker room. Have any of y’all ever been in a locker room as a student-athlete at the college level?” she asks the room full of reporters, “Raise your hand, the sacredness of that locker room. We don’t let parents in that locker room, we don’t let people in that locker room. There is a sacredness to a locker room, and I just I’m from that school that what’s in that locker room stays in that locker room unless it becomes something that’s public that you can’t hide.”

Kim Mulkey might be a demanding coach, but she also knows when to give a hug to the players, and when to slap them on their back on track. It was her optimism that led LSU to its first-ever national championship, despite the hovering controversies.

WATCH THIS STORY: Is Angel Reese Less Lsus Center Piece Hailey Van Lith Injured

What are your thoughts on Coach Mulkey’s approach? Tell us in the comments.