After announcing she will be “dedicating this off-season to herself,” Angel Reese seems to be enjoying time away from the basketball court. On Saturday night, ahead of the game against Alabama in Baton Rouge, several celebrity guests joined the LSU coaching staff for the team’s pregame walk down Victory Hill. Angel Reese was among them, and she certainly remained a topic of conversation among the fans long after the game ended.
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Reese was joined by Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Costner, and Paul Skenes, as well as former Tigers gymnast and social media personality Livvy Dunne.
Alabama (6-2, 4-2 SEC) and LSU (6-2, 3-2 SEC) enter their early-November matchup following recent victories. Both programs remain mathematically eligible for the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff, though Alabama enters the game carrying two previous losses. They lost consecutively to No. 2 Georgia and No. 16 Tennessee before defeating Texas A&M. Both Alabama and LSU were subsequently idle during a bye week.
However, Kiffin’s winless record against Alabama during his tenure as a head coach continued as the Tigers lost the game 31-13. But off the court, fans wasted no time in reacting to Reese’s latest appearance.
“Angel Reese and Shaq in the same lineup is already a moment, then you add Kevin Costner and Paul Skenes 😭,” one fan wrote in the comments on the post by SportsCenter.
“Tiger Walk turned into a star-studded spectacle! LSU brought the heat! 🔥🐯🏈,” one fan wrote.
“Angel looking gorgeous,” another fan wrote.
“Angel and that purple bag looking 🔥,” another fan wrote, while mentioning Reese’s outfit for the night. This is the second time this week that Reese has drawn attention for her wardrobe choices. She was again the center of attention when she attended the Smoothie King Center on Nov. 6 to watch her brother, Julian Reese, play for the New Orleans Pelicans. Her attire consisted of a black-and-white animalier print cardigan and midi skirt by The Attico.
Besides her bold fashion choices, the “Bayou Barbie” continues to be a fan favorite in Baton Rouge after powering LSU to its first-ever NCAA women’s basketball national championship in 2023, recording a double-double in all six tournament games and earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. After transferring from Maryland ahead of the 2022–23 season, she anchored head coach Kim Mulkey’s second-year squad to a 34–2 overall record.
Just a couple of days ago, Reese was honored by her former team in an on-court ceremony after a stellar season with the Atlanta Dream, playing a pivotal role as the Dream made the first trip to the Finals since 2013.
“No. 9 Alabama is visiting today. Beating them would make that recruiting pitch even harder to resist,” one fan wrote.
This game against Alabama carries high leverage for College Football Playoff qualification. A defeat would create a significant mathematical and structural obstacle to LSU’s inclusion in the final 12-team postseason bracket. And a win would have gone a long way toward claiming the bragging rights.
“Can’t wait to see how our First Lady reacts to #STTDB ….#GeauxTigers,” another fan wrote online.
First Lady Melania Trump attended Saturday’s game between LSU and Alabama, appearing on the stadium video board from a suite alongside members of the Louisiana National Guard. During the event, she highlighted a $7.2 million scholarship endowment designated for foster children. The visit marked LSU’s formal integration into her Fostering the Future program, an initiative that funds tuition and related expenses for foster children. As part of the event, several scholarship recipients from the program participated in an on-field presentation.
“Kiffin didn’t plan a Tiger Walk… he planned a red carpet,” another fan wrote.
For Reese, attention shifts to preparing for the next season with the Atlanta Dream. After suffering a heartbreaking 4-3 series loss in the Finals, Reese has made her intention clear to come back stronger next year. At just 24, there is still plenty of time for Reese and Co. to bring that elusive first title home for the Dream. After winning the DPOY this season, fans expect a season on similar lines from Reese next year as well.