“Angel Reese is a young lady that has had some mistakes in her past”: When Kim Mulkey got candid about ex-LSU star needing 'tough love'

LSU coach Kim Mulkey and her former player Angel Reese have had a complicated relationship. Reese, who joined the Tigers from Maryland, won the national championship under Mulkey's tutelage in her first season there.

The Chicago Sky star has previously spoken about her relationship with Mulkey, saying that they both have strong, similar personalities and that the coach has always pushed her to be better.

After the 2022-23 championship-winning campaign, Coach Kim Mulkey joined sports reporter Chessa Bouche on BRProud News and was asked whether she sees any similarities between herself and Reese.

"I think she's misunderstood because she is very matter of fact, has her own opinions. We are totally different in a lot of respects, but in the respect that I see a competitor, I see a kid that just wants to win. I would say we're very similar in that respect," Mulkey said (11:50 onwards).

"Angel is a young lady that has had some mistakes in her past, and I always tell people your past doesn't define you unless you continue down that path."

"That's when you get second chances. Some players need tough love," she continued. "There's no mistake that she knew what she was getting when she came to play for me, and I think I was a good fit for Angel."

Angel Reese reveals why she chose Kim Mulkey's LSU over others

After two seasons at Maryland, Reese decided to enter the transfer portal in 2022, looking for a new challenge and a coach who could develop her into a WNBA-ready prospect.

Several top-tier programs were interested, including South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU, but she was ultimately sold on Kim Mulkey's pitch.

"I’m not going to lie, I was so scared to commit to LSU," Reese revealed on Monday's episode of her Unapologetically Angel podcast (20:53). "That wasn't even actually really an option. I was going to go to South Carolina or Tennessee, I think. Then, Kim called and I was just like, ‘OK, bet. Like, I'll just go.'"

Angel Reese previously said she was intrigued by the potential of playing with Ohio State transfer Kateri Poole, her high school friend, at LSU.

The Maryland native exploded in her first LSU season, averaging her career-best 23.0 ppg and 15.4 rpg, leading Kim Mulkey's team to championship glory. She earned First-team All-American honors and the 2023 NCAA Tournament MOP award.

Mulkey reunited with Reese during the WNBA matchup between the Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics in June. Mulkey attended the game at Capital One Arena to support Reese.