AS far as Shaquille O’Neal is concerned, LSU has a new star.
After starring in the Tigers’ recent NCAA Women’s National Championship win, Angel Reese, 20, has been heralded by the 51-year-old four-time NBA Champion.
O’Neal was selected first overall in the 1992 NBA Draft out of LSU
Reese is currently a sophomore having spent her first two years of eligibility at Maryland
Speaking on The Big Man Podcast, O’Neal declared that Reese is “probably the greatest athlete to come out of LSU sports. Man and female.”
His reasoning was that “She delivered. She delivered that package.”
O’Neal did admit that there are “a lot of names you could throw around,” including Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
He said: “Joe Burrow got it done a couple of years ago. But she’s way more athletic than he is.”
This sparked a heated debate in the comments on Twitter where fans debated O’Neal’s bold take and who else deserves the title of LSU’s greatest athlete.
One commented: “Burrow, Chase, Jefferson, and the list goes on would like a word with Shaq.”
Another commented: “Ever heard of a little someone called Livvy Dunne?”
While one joked: “Dude must have never heard of Shaquille O’Neal.”
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Reese has dominated headlines since LSU’s title win on April 2, after she was caught gesturing toward her ring finger and doing wrestler John Cena’s infamous “You Can’t See Me” move toward Iowa star Caitlin Clark during the game, who made the same gestures when the team made the Finals days earlier.
Reese’s taunting divided fans, with some on Twitter labeling her “classless” while others backed her up, such as one who said: “Passionate play is part of pro-sports, & A big reason I watch sports.”
After LSU’s 102-85 win to claim the title, Reese told the media how “Twitter is going to go on a rage every time, and I’m happy.”
Not that she was phased by the expected criticism, saying: “All year, I was critiqued about who I was.
“I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit in a box that y’all want me to be in.
“I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all say nothing.
“So this was for the girls that look like me, that’s going to speak up on what they believe in. It’s unapologetically you.
“That’s what I did it for tonight. It was bigger than me tonight. It was bigger than me.
“Twitter is going to go on a rage every time, and I’m happy. I feel like I’ve helped grow women’s basketball this year.
“I’m super happy and excited. So I’m looking forward to celebrating in the next season.”
Reese, nicknamed the Bayou Barbie, finished the Championship Game with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists
