Bayou Barbie is taking her talents to the WNBA.
Angel Reese, the standout player from LSU, has officially declared for the WNBA draft shortly after the Tigers' season came to an end with a loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Elite Eight round of the women's NCAA Tournament.
Reese chose to make her announcement through a photo shoot featured in Vogue, drawing inspiration from tennis legend Serena Williams who retired in a similar fashion back in 2022. She revealed that her decision to go pro was made before the start of March Madness.
"Of course, I like to do everything big," Reese expressed to the magazine. "I didn't want anything to be basic."
"I've accomplished everything I set out to do in college," Reese continued. "From winning a national championship to earning SEC Player of the Year and being named an All-American. My ultimate goal is to succeed as a professional basketball player and to be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game. I believe I am prepared for this next chapter."
Reese shared a video montage of her basketball journey on social media.
"Grateful for these last four years and excited for this next chapter," she wrote, concluding the post with the hashtag "Bayou Barbie Out."
It is highly likely that Reese will be joining Clark, who is anticipated to be the No. 1 pick by Indiana, as one of the top players selected on April 15th. The interest surrounding Reese and Clark has sparked a nationwide fascination with women's college basketball, leading to higher ticket prices for the women's Final Four games compared to the men's.
"The world of sports is experiencing a significant transformation, all thanks to athletes like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and others who are captivating audiences with their exceptional talent and star quality," remarked Chris Leyden, SeatGeek's growth marketing director, in a recent statement to CBS MoneyWatch. "This shift is primarily driven by the remarkable brand influence these athletes possess, resulting in an unprecedented demand for this year's March Madness tournament."
