Joe Biden contacts LSU forward Angel Reese to congratulate her on championship win
The White House announced on Friday that President Joseph Biden called Louisiana State University basketball star Angel Reese to congratulate her on the Tigers’ NCAA championship victory.
The White House reported that Biden also talked with Kim Mulkey, the head coach of the Tigers, and left a message for Dan Hurley, the head coach of the UConn Huskies, who won the men’s championship, congratulating him and inviting both teams to the White House.
The White House stated that no exact date has been chosen for the trips.Reese had previously stated she wouldn’t go to the White House with her team after first lady Jill Biden suggested that the state that came in second would also be invited earlier on Friday.
Reese remarked in an interview with ESPN, “Just thinking back on that, you don’t have that experience (to visit the White House) ever.”
“I’m going to act in the team’s best interests because I know my team will probably want to travel for sure, and my coaches are supportive of that. And if they choose to go, we will follow through with our decision to do so.
After the University of Memphis Tigers upset the University of Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85 on Sunday to claim their first NCAA women’s basketball national title, Reese had already stated on Wednesday that neither she nor her team would be attending the White House.
Reese remarked to “I AM ATHLETE” podcast presenters Brandon Marshall and Ashley Nicole Moss in response to Jill Biden’s remarks urging that Iowa be included as well, before attempting to walk that back: “I don’t accept the apologies because you said what you said… You cannot retract some of your statements. They are entitled to that attention. We will visit the Obamas. We’re visiting Michelle. We’ll run into Barack.
We were hurt at first, Reese said. Because we knew how hard we worked all year for everything, it was emotional for us. Even just being aware of that pained us at the time.
Mulkey declared that she would visit the White House if the squad was invited after the team’s triumph in the national championship on Sunday. The school’s athletic department declared on Wednesday that they would “definitely accept an invitation.”
Jill Biden expressed her appreciation for both teams’ efforts in the national championship game on Sunday in a speech on Monday. She also singled out Iowa’s sportsmanship.
Speaking at a gathering at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver, Biden remarked, “Last night, I went to the NCAA women’s basketball championship.
I’m confident that the champs will visit the White House because we usually do. We therefore anticipate LSU’s attendance, but I’ll let Joe [Biden] know that I believe Iowa should also attend given their excellent performance.
Reese, a 20-year-old forward, responded to Biden’s remarks on Monday, calling them “A JOKE,” and the NCAA champion added: “WE NOT COMING. period.” to an Instagram post from “The Shade Room.”