LSU’s Angel Reese unapologetic over gestures to Iowa star Clark

DALLAS (AP) — LSU’s Angel Reese waved her handin front of her face while staring down Caitlin Clark, then pointedtoward her finger as if to say a ring was coming while walkingtoward the Iowa star.

The gestures late in the Tigers’ 102-85 victory in the NCAAchampionship game Sunday lit up social media, with commentssupporting the “Bayou Barbie” for trash talk that’s just part ofthe game and condemning her for lacking grace in victory.

The bubbly junior from Baltimore, who transferred from Marylandto join flamboyant LSU coach Kim Mulkey, was unapologetic in thepostgame news conference.

“All year, I was critiqued about who I was,” Reese said. “Idon’t fit in a box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’mtoo ghetto. But when other people do it, y’all say nothing. So thiswas for the girls that look like me, that’s going to speak up onwhat they believe in. It’s unapologetically you.”

Clark, the scoring sensation who was the first with consecutive40-point games in an NCAA Tournament, made the face-waving gestureto no one in particular during an Elite Eight victory overLouisville.

The Associated Press Player of the Year wasn’t shy about showingher emotions when the Hawkeyes knocked off undefeated defendingnational champion South Carolina in the semifinals.

If she saw Reese’s gestures, Clark didn’t seem concerned aboutthem.

“I was just trying to get to the handshake line and shake handsand be grateful that my team was in that position,” said Clark, whoscored 30 points. “That’s all you can do is hold your head high, beproud of what you did. All the credit in the world to LSU. Theywere tremendous.”

In a 79-72 semifinal victory over Virginia Tech, Reese made whatappeared to be a “you’re too small” gesture several times afterscoring around the basket.

The fashionable 6-foot-3 post with modeling aspirations isbecoming a social media magnet. Reese wooed Lil Wayne afterchastising the rapper from New Orleans for reaching out to EliteEight opponent Miami before doing the same with the Tigers.

“I’m going to be me, but I can’t do it without the girls here,and I can’t do it without the rest of my teammates and coaches,”said Reese, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds while three teammatesscored at least 20 points.

She was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Fourafter setting an NCAA single-season record with her 34thdouble-double against the Hawkeyes.

“Twitter can say what Twitter can say,” Reese said. “I lovereading those comments. I have all the screenshots of whateverybody has said about me all season. What are you going to saynow?”