“Let’s be realistic, I was tired of college”: Angel Reese makes her feelings clear about leaving Kim Mulkey’s LSU

All good things must come to an end. Angel Reese opened up about her decision to part ways with Kim Mulkey and leave the LSU Tigers on Monday's episode of "Unapologetically Angel." The Chicago Sky star discussed the thought process behind her move to turn professional with her longtime manager Jeanine Ogbonnaya.

Angel Reese (#10) of the LSU Tigers speaks with head coach Kim Mulkey on the sidelines during their Sweet Sixteen game against the UCLA Bruins on March 30, 2024 in Albany, New York. Photo: Getty

Reese played two seasons with LSU, leading the Tigers to the NCAA title in the 2022-23 campaign. She had the option to return for the 2024-25 season but decided to leave school for the WNBA. Reese announced her departure on Instagram following LSU's loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight.

"Let's be realistic, I was tired of college," Reese said (Timestamp 30:00). "Not going to lie, I was tired. I'm not saying I got bigger than the program but I just outgrew it."

Some people expected Reese to stay at LSU for another year, arguing that she would make more money in college. Reese and Ogbonnaya debunked those claims.

"They’ve lost their minds. Don’t listen to these people when they say that,” Reese said.

“From the moment I started hearing that narrative, I was like that's literally not true," Ogbonnaya replied. "At this point, you transcend sport so it doesn't matter if you're in college."

Ogbonnaya added that she believed Reese had already maxed out her financial opportunities in college, a sentiment that the WNBA star echoed.

"They don't even know how much we have missed out when I was in college," Reese said.

Angel Reese starts new chapter in basketball career with WNBA move

Angel Reese applied for the 2024 WNBA draft, joining a class that included Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark. The Chicago Sky selected Reese with the seventh overall pick in the first round, pairing the LSU star with South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso, who they acquired with the No. 3 pick.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (#5) looks to pass the ball against the Las Vegas Aces during the first half of their WNBA game at Wintrust Arena. Photo: Imagn

Reese averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds in her first season with the Sky. Her rookie year was cut short, though, after suffering a hairline fracture in her wrist during Chicago's game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Sep. 6. Despite finishing the season on the injured list, Reese still broke the single-season rebound record previously held by Sylvia Fowles. She grabbed 446 rebounds through 34 games in the regular season.