Ever since Angel Reese helped LSU win its first women’s college basketball title, her life has been in the fast lane — and the Tigers star is embracing it.
The star player has been in the spotlight and exploded in popularity on social media.
And with this rise in fame, she said she feels “overwhelmed” with the “so many” eyes on her.
She’s been forced to grow up quickly, but she said she’s grateful for the position she’s now in.
“It’s a blessing, honestly. I’ve kind of embraced it. People are watching me,” she said. “I mean, it’s a fast life I’m living. I think I have to mature quickly.”
Reese, who turned plenty of heads with her taunting of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark during the championship game, played a key role in the contest drawing an NCAA women’s record of 9.9 million viewers.
“I’ll go down in history for doing what I did, and our team will for winning. I’m happy we were able to do that for Louisiana,” she told People.
The Tigers forward has garnered 2 million followers on Instagram and even posed with LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, becoming the first two college athletes to do so.
Reese, who has a NIL deal with Mielle Organics and will be appearing in a commercial for soda Starry during the NBA Finals, has a NIL valuation of $1.4 million with 26 total NIL deals.
With a never-ending list of things going on, Reese said her support system has been incredible.
“I’m going to learn from mistakes that I make, but I have a lot of great people around me that help me and I’m blessed to have them around me. I’m happy,” Reese said.
Reese said she leads a bit of a different lifestyle for a 21-year-old — one without dating and partying — and when her busy life has become too much, she has turned to “shopping and sleeping” and her faith.
“This is my first year of actually getting closer to God, and that’s helped me,” she said.
“I’ve been through so many things, and I think that the only way I’m getting through these things is just taking time with God and giving him his time. That’s something I’ve emphasized this year.”
Despite her own popularity, Reese said she’s had a few moments where she’s been “starstruck,” most notably when she met with NBA stars Zion Williamson and Karl-Anthony Towns while making a Starry commercial.
“I’m excited to be here. Like, starstruck,” Reese said. “Karl was just casually talking to me, and they watch my game. They respect women’s basketball and they were just telling me that everything I did was really monumental,” she says.
Her work with Starry also puts her in the spotlight during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, when fans can call the “Dial a 3” hotline for a chance to speak with the budding superstar.
