Credit: Twitter
Angel Reese had a night to remember at the 2023 ESPY Awards, as she won the Best Breakthrough Athlete award and hit her popular celebration while also making a confident prediction for the upcoming season. The LSU women's basketball star led the Lady Tigers to their first NCAA championship in April and was one of the star players on the team.
Caitlin Clark of Iowa Women's Basketball, Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers, and Julio Rodrguez of the Seattle Mariners were also nominated for the award but the trophy ultimately went to Reese. During her acceptance speech, Reese thanked her family, teammates, coaches, and head coach Kim Mulkey, and then delivered a bold promise to the LSU fans.
“I just want to thank LSU, my family, my teammates, my coaches, Kim Mulkey, everybody that helped me," Reese said."Last year, I transferred from the University of Maryland and came to LSU. I just joined a family so I just want to say thank you. And another Natty is coming, period." The 21-year-old thanked her family, teammates, and coaches for their contribution to her success.
Reese then hit her iconic celebration pose which involves the palm waving in front of the face just like John Cena’s signature pose, "You Can't See Me".
Reese, who was also named Sportswoman of the Year at the 2023 BET Awards, has had a busy summer. She recently returned from Mexico, where she helped Team USA win the silver medal at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup. Reese, who averaged 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds per game last season, will be back on the court for LSU in November, hoping to lead them to another title run.
Gymnast Olivia Dunne hypes up fellow LSU athletes at the 2023 ESPY Awards
The LSU Tigers seemed to take over the ESPYS with Olivia Dunne leading the charge at the Dolby Theater. The gymnast was joined by Angel Reese, the LSU basketball phenom and other LSU women’s basketball standouts who helped the team win its first national championship in program history last month.
“The Tigers are taking over the @ESPYS like it's just a normal day at LSU”, LSU Gymnastics wrote on Twitter with a video. “A lot of people ask me what it’s like being at the ESPYS surrounded by elite athletes, literal champions, and the people at the very top of their sport,” Dunne said into the camera on the telecast. “Honestly, it’s just like a normal day at LSU. Right guys?”
The camera then panned out to show the 2023 national champion Lady Tigers women’s baseball team sitting in the audience. Dunne and Reese, who both made their debut in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue this year, stunned on the red carpet with their glamorous outfits and also posed for photos together showing off their LSU pride.
