Breaking Her Foot and Rod Placed in Leg, 21YO NCAA Champion Angel Reese Makes Heartfelt Testimonial to Struggles Behind Success

Angel Reese is the most recent bright light to shine on the basketball courts at Louisiana State University (LSU), a basketball powerhouse located in the center of Baton Rouge. Her list of accomplishments is an athlete’s dream come true. She received the honor of being the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023. Furthermore, being just 21, she also won the renowned BET Sportswoman of the Year award off the court, recognizing her influence both on and off the hardwood.

However, Reese’s rise to stardom was not without its struggle. Recently, the NCAA champion made a heartfelt rendition of the struggles behind her success.

Angel Reese opens up about her lowest point in life

While Angel Reese started her basketball journey playing on the courts of Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, it was her transfer to LSU that thrust her into the international headlines. Particularly, the title game where Angel Reese faced Iowa Hawkeyes, led by Caitlin Clark, garnered 9.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s college basketball game to date.

While the entire LSU team helped the team win the championship, 20-year-old Angel Reese stole the show. Reese, a sophomore from Baltimore, Maryland, standing at a commanding 6’3″ was essential to LSU’s success. During the championship game, she produced an incredible double-double by scoring 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Her 34th double-double of the 2023 season, this amazing accomplishment, set a new standard for the most double-doubles by a woman in a single NCAA basketball season.

However, her journey to basketball fame was marred by setbacks, as the 21-year-old recently revealed.

Talking to Glamour magazine, she revealed, “I remember my freshman year, when I had high expectations but ended up breaking my foot, sidelining me for 15 games. I faced another setback when, eight months later. I needed surgery and had a rod placed in my leg. That period was incredibly challenging for me as a 17-year-old freshman and shook my confidence. Dealing with such a significant injury was tough and marked my first major setback.”

Reese recalled the challenging time, calling it her “lowest point.” She continued, “I felt lost, not knowing anything beyond waking up daily, going to rehab, and watching others play. Journaling became a lifeline for me and something I picked up freshman year. And I leaned on prayer, reading a verse every day to keep me going.”

The people Reese surrounded herself with played a crucial role in her rehabilitation. She lived a 30 to 40-minute drive from her house in Maryland. Reese found her family’s occasional visits quite consoling. Her Maryland coaches and her teammates were tremendously supportive and helpful as well. Fortunately, Reese managed to bounce back in her sophomore year and perform well. Eventually, she transferred schools, marking the turning point of her basketball journey.

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As of now, Reese has her eyes set on the 2024 WNBA draft. However, Angel Reese found the 2024 WNBA draft projection to be ‘insulting.’

Angel Reese is not happy with her 2024 WNBA projection

LSU prodigy Angel Reese is now preparing for a pivotal year as she targets the 2024 WNBA Draft. However, she is not happy with ESPN’s most recent mock draft, which projects her as the No. 8 pick overall. LSU head coach Kim Mulkey expressed her displeasure and described it as an “insult” to Reese. She revealed, “That was an insult to her.?

However, the projection can spur Reese on. Mulkey stated, ?We talked about the thing she needs to work on. Whether she gets picked higher than that or not, it still motivates her. She gets motivated in practice with someone going head-to-head with her or talking trash back at her. She?s a competitor.?

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Reese only has one more year of eligibility left. However, she is now prepared to advance her career. Reese discussed her goals during an interview with WNBA great Lisa Leslie for Glamour magazine.

Reese told Leslie, ?Personally, I aspire to make it to the WNBA. While I do have the option for another year, I do want to get out of college, start life outside of school, and pursue my WNBA dreams. It?s been a challenging but rewarding four years, and I?m excited to continue improving at LSU and beyond.?

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As Reese continues to shine on the college basketball stage fighting through her setbacks, her journey toward the WNBA promises to be an inspiring one. What are your thoughts on the NCAA star? Let us know in the comments below!