LSU WBB: Angel Reese Not With Team in Cayman Islands

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese has been the topic of conversation over the last handful of days after missing the Tigers last two games against Southeastern and Texas Southern.

Now, as the Tigers gear up for a Friday afternoon game against Niagara in the Cayman Islands, Reese will miss another game.

Reese is not with the program on their Thanksgiving tournament trip to the Cayman Islands with a matchup against Niagara set for Friday followed by a showdown against Virginia on Saturday.

The latest on Reese, a potential return date and what's next:

The Buzz: Reese Absent on Cayman Islands Trip

Kim Mulkey addressed All-American forward Angel Reese's status on Friday night after the Tigers defeated Southeastern 73-50.

Reese, a reigning National Champion, was benched in the second half against Kent State last Tuesday before being absent for the Tigers last two games.

When asked to expand on her decision Friday night, Mulkey said:

"Angel was not in uniform. Angel is a part of this basketball team, and we hope she's back with the team soon. I'm not gonna answer any more than that."

Now, after being away from the program for a pair of contests, Mulkey "cleared the air" surrounding her star big.

Reese has been in the limelight over the last handful of months after taking home the National Championship. Once the Tigers took home hardware, it boosted Reese's status off the court significantly.

“She just understands the spotlight is on her,” Mulkey told Taylor Rooks ahead of the Colorado game. “I don’t think she realized how quickly it came in how hard it came at her. But as I tell her, to whom much is given much as expected. You brought this, you earned this. You wanted this, now grow up and lead us and she wants to continue to get better in her game. She wants to continue to get better with her leadership.

“But it’s not the Angel Reese show. We have some pretty good talent in that locker room with her.”

A Potential Return Date: Virginia Tech on Nov. 30

The Tigers left this week for their trip to the Cayman Islands for their tournament over Thanksgiving break and it's been confirmed Reese is not with the program.

The Tigers will lace up their shoes on Friday, Nov. 24 against Niagara in the Cayman Island Classic followed by a showdown against Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 25.

After the trip, LSU is off until their Final Four rematch against Virginia Tech on Nov. 30. For now, all signs point towards a *potential* return against the Hokies, but things could change before then.

Up Next: Niagara on Friday Nov. 24 at 12:30pm CT

No. 7 LSU will take on Niagara on Friday and Virginia on Saturday at the inaugural women’s Cayman Island Classic in John Gray Gymnasium.

Friday’s game will tipoff at 12:30 p.m. CT and Saturday’s will start at 4 p.m. Both of the games will be on FloHoops with Angel Gray and Kelley Deyon. Patrick Wright and Emily Ward will call the action on the LSU Sports Radio Network, 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge.

The team went on an excursion Thursday afternoon to Stingray City, a sandbar roughly 5.5 miles off the Cayman Island coast where stingrays have become accustomed to human interaction. The sandbar has knee deep water where Southern Atlantic stingrays swim about freely and come up close to those in the water.

“When you go on trips like this, most of us have never been to these places so you’re going to mix a little pleasure with work,” Coach Kim Mulkey said. “We’ll do Stingray City. A lot of them will get to see their families, myself included. It’s Thanksgiving and let’s not forget that. It’s a special time of the year.”

The Tigers have won five in a row, scoring over 100 in four of those games as LSU’s offense has been continuing to gain chemistry. LSU leads the SEC with a .514 field goal percentage led by Sa’Myah Smith and Flau’Jae Johnson who both rank in the top five in the SEC in field goal percentage. Mikaylah Williams also No. 9 as LSU is the only school in the SEC with three players in the top ten in shooting percentage.

Johnson has been a spark for the Tigers after returning to the court after missing a game with flu-like symptoms. She has averaged 14.7 points in those three games and has led the team in rebounding the past two games. She has also averaged 4.0 steals in the games since her return.

Williams has started every game for the Tigers and has made a smooth transition to the college game. Her 19.2 points per game rank No. 4 in the SEC and she owns the season-high for points in a game when she dropped 42 in LSU’s win over Kent State last week. She ranks No. 3 in the SEC in three point shooting, making 56.7-percent of her attempts from beyond the arc.

Aneesah Morrow has been a dominant force for the Tigers on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. She is averaging 13.3 points per game and 3.8 steals per game. Over the past three games, Morrow has a total of 19 steals.

Niagara is 2-2, coming off a win against Stonehill. The Purple Eagles are efficient shooting the three ball at 38.8 percent to rank No. 30 in the nation. One of LSU’s weaknesses so far this season has been defending three point shots. Jada Pierce is in her ninth season at Niagara and the team was 18-13 last year.

Virginia is led by Amaka Agugua-Hamilton who is in her second season with the Cavaliers. She was previously at Missouri State and faced LSU in Puerto Rico during Coach Mulkey’s first season at LSU. The Tigers won that matchup, 66-58. Virginia is 3-1, coming off a loss against No. 25 Oklahoma. The Cavaliers will face Tulane on Friday in the Cayman Islands before Saturday’s matchup with LSU. Virginia and LSU are two teams who rebound the ball well as both teams rank in the top 20 nationally in rebounds per game.