2023 Cayman Islands Classic - Women's

Angel Reese Not At Practice With LSU; Cayman Islands Classic Status Unclear

Angel Reese Not At Practice With LSU; Cayman Islands Classic Status Unclear

LSU Women's Basketball star Angel Reese was not at practice with the Tigers in the Grand Cayman Islands after missing the last two games.

Nov 23, 2023 by Leanza Pieroni
null

LSU superstar Angel Reese was not at practice with the No. 7-ranked Tigers on Nov. 23 in the Grand Cayman Islands ahead of the team’s showdown with Niagara on Nov. 24. 

Whether Reese, a junior, will play at the holiday tournament is unclear after the returning All-American and 2024 Final Four Most Outstanding Player missed the Tigers' last two games. Before missing those games, Reese was benched during LSU’s win over Kent State on Nov. 14. 

It's unclear if Reese traveled to the Grand Cayman Islands with LSU. 

LSU hasn’t lost since the season opener, a 92-78 defeat to the now ranked No. 3 Colorado. The last three games against Kent State, Southeast Louisiana and Texas Southern have all been lopsided wins for LSU. 

The Tigers play Niagara (2-2) to open their Cayman Islands Classic slate and then face Virginia (3-1) on Nov. 25. 

Both games will stream on FloHoops. 

Is Angel Reese Suspended?

Hall of Fame coach Kim Mulkey has not said Reese is suspended. 

Following the Tigers’ 106-47 win over Texas Southern, Mulkey alluded to the team dealing with locker room issues. 

“You always have to deal with locker room issues," Mulkey said in a postgame conference. "Sometimes, you don't know about it. Sometimes, you want to know more than you're entitled to know. I'm going to protect my players, always. They are more important."

She added that she would not reveal whether Reese would even make the trip to the Cayman Islands. 

Mulkey did sound like Reese would be back at some point. After Tigers' 73-50 win over Southeast Louisiana she told reporter, “Angel is a part of this basketball team, and we hope to see her sooner than later.”

What Is Angel Reese Saying About Her Absence?

Reese hasn’t officially made any statement but did post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Nov. 19, and wrote "please don't believe everything you read."  

Angel Reese Led LSU WBB To 2023 NCAA Championship

Angel Reese was the leader of the LSU team in 2023 and was the 2023 Final Four Most Outstanding Player as well as the 2023 BET Sportswomen of the Year and 2023 ESPY Best Breakthrough Athlete. 

Reese, who played two years at Maryland before transferring to LSU, averaged 17 points per game for the Tigers last season. 

LSU Women's Basketball Roster Depth, Talent Showing While Angel Reese Absent 

The Tigers were ranked No. 1 in the preseason for a reason. Not just because of Reese, but because of another win in the transfer portal and a talented freshman class. 

The national champions added star Hailey Van Lith from the transfer portal. Van Lith, a 2020 McDonald's All-American, was the catalyst for Louisville's 2022 Final Four team and enters the year with 1,553 career points. 

She is averaging 11.8 points and 4.6 assists per game. 

Carrying LSU, though, has been freshman Mikaylah Williams, who started all six games for LSU, joining Van Lith as the only players to do so. Williams is averaging 19.2 points per game along with 3.5 rebounds. She is shooting 56.6% from 3-point range. 

There are a total of six players averaging double figures for LSU, including Reese. 

LSU Lady Tigers Basketball Schedule at Women's Cayman Island Classic

LSU faces Niagara at 1:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 24. LSU then plays Virginia at 5 p.m at Nov. 25. 

Women's Cayman Island Classic Teams

The teams are (ranking based on Nov. 13 poll): 

  • No. 7 LSU 
  • No. 8 UConn
  • No. 3 UCLA
  • No. 9 Virginia Tech 
  • Kansas 
  • Virginia 
  • Niagara
  • Tulane

Women's Cayman Island Classic Schedule

Here is the Nov. 24 schedule:

  • Virginia vs. Tulane, 11 a.m. ET
  • No. 7 LSU vs. Niagara, 1:30 p.m. ET
  • No. 9 Virginia Tech vs, Kansas, 5 p.m. ET
  • No. 8 UConn vs. No. 3 UCLA, 7:30 p.m. ET

Here is the Nov. 25 schedule: 

  • No. 9 Virginia Tech vs. Tulane, 11 a.m. ET
  • No. 3 UCLA vs. Niagara, 1:30 p.m. ET
  • No. 7 LSU vs. Virginia, 5 p.m. ET
  • No. 8 UConn vs. Kansas, 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch NCAA Women’s Basketball On FloHoops

The NCAA Women's Basketball is streaming live on FloHoops and the FloSports app. The BIG EAST Digital Network is also on FloHoops and the FloSports app.

FloHoops Archived Footage

Video footage from all events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloHoops subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

Join the College Basketball Conversation on FloHoops Social