LSU Star Angel Reese Continues Changing Women's Basketball

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese is changing women’s basketball before our very eyes. The culture is changing in not only Baton Rouge, but the entire landscape of the women’s game at a rapid pace.

The world has taken notice of Reese’s dominance on the floor. From Dwayne Wade to Drake, celebrities from all over have reached out to Reese about her success.

The bright lights don’t scare her. She embraces the moment and all that comes with it. The Baltimore native doesn’t back down from a challenge as she continues to push for a national championship this year.

On the court, she’s a monster, but off the floor is where she also continues to make a meteoric rise in social status.

The Angel Effect

Reese doesn’t care about other people's opinion. It’s her game. It’s her style. She dominates the game with trash talk and flavor on the court. LSU fans saw it all season, but now the country is getting a better taste of what she’s all about.

In three NCAA Tournament games this season, Reese has totaled 76 points, 51 rebounds, 12 blocks and 7 steals. No other player in the NBA, WNBA, or Division I men's or women's basketball has reached all of those numbers over any three-game span in the last 20 years.

For Reese, it isn’t about her individual success, rather the superstar forward wants to see her entire team shine on the biggest stage. It’s all LSU all the time. She’s bought into the Baton Rouge family and has expressed that on several occasions despite what the outside world may think of her.

“I think you just have to take the good with the bad. I love all the positive things that I've gotten all year and being able to grow women's basketball, of course,” Reese said. “I don't think I would be able to do this anywhere else other than LSU. Just being able to be here in this moment and embracing it.”

The Brand

Two words: Bayou Barbie. From the eyelashes on the court to the social media rise, Reese is maximizing her name to the fullest. She’s created her own personal brand of clothing with "Bayou Barbie" and may have even more tricks up her sleeve when it comes to other business ventures.

“When I came here, I only had about 70,000 followers and now I’m at about 420,000. Just to be able to grow my brand and be able to be who I am here, they’ve embraced that at LSU. I’ve been able to grow on and off the court," Reese said. "The Bayou Barbie, I never thought I was going to get that name, but one of the fans called me that, and now I have merch and have it trademarked. It’s something big to me. I love how they’ve embraced me here at LSU.”

Reese put her own spin on “Bayou Barbie” and what it’s all about. She’s looking to make a change and inspire the youth by proving anyone can do anything. For her brand, Reese made sure it fit both her and her fanbase.

“My color is pink, of course, and the Barbie theme is pink. I did a big bubble letter with how the Barbie doll is and got a ton of unisex shirts, youth shirts, beanies, sweatpants and shorts. It was something I knew a lot of people would wear and even I would wear.”

Bayou Barbie merch out now💖 Make sure to tag me in your BB merch so I can repost! Grab your merch at the LINK IN MY BIO, can’t wait to see y’all in it! Hoodies, Shirts, Hats Sweatpants etc. 👑 pic.twitter.com/GMBu3tuNnf
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) February 14, 2023

The Social Media Impact

The rise of Angel Reese has been eye-opening. A player who certainly had hype coming to LSU as the No. 1 impact transfer in the country, there were expectations, but to live up to them and then some has taken college basketball by storm.

The entire world has taken notice. Reese has heard from Dwayne Wade, Gabrielle Union, Drake, Lil Wayne and more as her social status continues to skyrocket.

“I’ve talked to Dwayne Wade. I’ve talked to Drake. It’s been a lot,” Reese said.

The most recent celebrity is Louisiana native Lil Wayne who reacted to LSU punching their ticket to the Elite Eight after defeating Utah on Friday.

Angel fkn Reese!!!!!! Home team
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) March 25, 2023

Reese is transforming the game of basketball as we know it. With a big personality and the game to back it up, LSU has a superstar on their hands as they look to punch their ticket to the Final Four in Sunday’s matchup against Miami.