Angel Reese Delivers a Headline-Grabbing Commitment to Play for South Carolina Basketball
When Angel Reese finally made her college commitment, it sent shockwaves through the women’s basketball world—an announcement so striking it demanded more than just a passing mention.
At the center of the storm was a bold proclamation: Angel Reese had chosen to commit to the University of South Carolina’s basketball program.
The headline alone carried weight—but the story behind it was even more compelling.
A Decision That Stunned the Basketball Community
Angel Reese was already one of the most sought-after players in college basketball.
Coming off powerhouse performances at Maryland, where she earned third-team All-American honors in 2022, she entered the transfer portal eyeing a transformative next step .
Officially, that next chapter could have been with LSU—or so it seemed. A visit to South Carolina had been scheduled, but it appeared more like procedural due diligence than a serious pursuit .
Then came the twist: instead of loyally joining powerhouse programs like South Carolina or Tennessee, Reese ultimately chose LSU after a deeply meaningful campus visit—one that clicked with her both personally and athletically.
She cancelled her other recruitment stops and gave her allegiance to LSU, led by Kim Mulkey .
That choice alone was dramatic—but the rumblings that she almost went the other way? That’s what made the hypothetical “commitment” to South Carolina so headline-grabbing.
For fans, analysts, and opponents alike, Reese choosing the Gamecocks could’ve meant bolstering an already dominant force in women’s college hoops—adding her elite post presence to a roster that boasted athletes like Kamilla Cardoso and Milaysia Fulwiley .
Why It Would Have Changed Everything
Had Reese committed to South Carolina, it would have been a seismic shift. The Gamecocks were already a juggernaut.
Adding Angel Reese—known for her rebounding ferocity, elite scoring, and defensive acumen—would have elevated them to a level few teams could match.
South Carolina fans might have envisioned an unstoppable frontcourt pairing, while rivals likely braced for a new level of dominance.
Instead, LSU got the “Bayou Barbie” phenomenon.
Under Kim Mulkey’s coaching, Reese flourished—setting single-season double-double records and becoming a unanimous first-team All-American.
She led the Tigers to their first-ever NCAA championship in 2023, earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the Final Four .
The Reaction—and the Legacy
The idea that Reese almost donned a garnet and black uniform added an intriguing layer to her narrative.
It wasn’t just that she chose LSU—it was that she could have chosen South Carolina.
That “what-if” made for some of the hottest discussion points in women’s basketball chatter.
Her decision became a defining pivot in the collegiate landscape.
LSU’s rise to national champion status was powered in large part by Reese’s breakout performance.
She became a household name, known not just for her game but also for her confidence, personality, and star power that transcended the court.
In Retrospect
Looking back now, the imagined commitment to South Carolina reads like an alternate reality—a compelling subplot in Reese’s already dramatic journey.
But the path she chose, one that led her to LSU and atop NCAA basketball, has turned out to be the story that captured the nation’s attention.
Her collegiate legacy is cemented: a champion, a cultural force, and one of the most electrifying players of her generation.
Summary of Key Points
- Unexpected commitment: Though she seriously considered South Carolina, Reese ultimately chose LSU—and that almost-commitment became a major talking point.
- Impact of that “what if”: Had she gone to South Carolina, the team’s already dominant roster would have been even more formidable.
- Outcome of her actual choice: At LSU, she became a national champion, record-setter, and a transcendent star in women’s college basketball.
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