Why did Angel Reese get suspended? Exploring LSU star guard's mysterious absence early this season

This was supposed to be the season that LSU star Angel Reese cemented herself as the best player in college women's basketball after her heroics during the Tigers' national championship win last season.

However, an embarrassing loss to the No. 20 Colorado Buffaloes and an unexplained four-game absence for the LSU star fueled rumors about her poor grades and beef between her mother and teammate Flau'Jae Johnson's.

Why was she absent for that period?

---

Why did Angel Reese get suspended?

Angel Reese missed four games from mid-November to early December. Her coach, Kim Mulkey, was vague about the reasons amid rumors swirling all over that Reese had been suspended.

Mulkey explained Reese's absence in vague terms during her news conferences, which only intensified the speculation.

“I can’t sugar-coat things. I feel like people want the truth, but ... I’m going to protect my players,” Mulkey said. “There’s a sacredness in that locker room, and I’m from that school that what’s in that locker room stays in that locker room.”

When Reese made her return against Virginia Tech, Mulkey again glossed over any facts, keeping the reasons for her absence under wraps, so the CBB fraternity is still unclear whether Reese was suspended or not.

“It’s a boost having her back, period," Mulkey said. "It’s not just against Virginia Tech. It’s just for our team. She’s just a tremendous player, one of the best players in the country."

---

What did Angel Reese say about the matter?

When she returned to the team against Virginia Tech, Angel Reese led the Tigers to an 82-64 win, scoring 19 points. She made light of her situation.

“How happy are y’a’ll to see me? I know you all are,” she said. “Let’s have some fun."

“It was a long two weeks to be away from the team,” Reese said. “Taking time to yourself is really important. I just felt like that was something that was important, resetting and refocusing within the team. I’m just happy to be back and this place was amazing tonight. I’m just happy to be here with them.”

Reese further highlighted the mental health aspect in her postgame news conference.

“Mental health is the most important thing before anything, and I’m going to make sure I’m OK before anything because I don’t want to cause harm or any cancer in the locker room,” she said.

The real reason why Angel Reese was absent might remain unclear, but LSU fans will be happy that their controversial coach, Kim Mulkey, and their star player seemingly mended fences as the Tigers seek to win the national championship again.