Angel Reese, who was called the “Bayou Barbie” after she moved to Baton Rouge to play for LSU, has announced she is going to take her talents to the WNBA after the team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite 8.

Angel Reese is undoubtedly one of the most marketable players in the world of women’s college basketball. Her brilliance on the court as well as her personality has played a key role in ensuring a $1.8 million NIL value, according to On3.

Angel Reese in LSU uniform

The forward has witnessed significant growth in her NIL value since leading LSU to the national championship in 2023. Once she gets selected by a WNBA team, she won’t be making nearly as much.

While she may command a sizable NIL valuation, her potential WNBA salary pales in comparison as rookie salaries range from $62,285 to $74,305, via Marca.com.

After LSU’s season-ending loss to Iowa, Reese reflected on what her life has been like since winning the national championship last season as she only had 48 hours after the Tigers lost to Iowa in the Elite Eight to decide if she was staying at LSU or going pro.

“I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,” Reese said when sharing her plans to enter the WNBA draft with Vogue.

 

She’s expected to be a top-10 pick in the April 15 draft. Caitlin Clark, who already declared for the WNBA draft, is expected to be taken no. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever.

“I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,” Reese said. “I’ve won a national championship, I’ve gotten [Southeastern Conference] Player of the Year, I’ve been an All-American. My ultimate goal is to be a pro — and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready.”

Angel Reese Left It All On The Court In College

Angel Reese (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Angel Reese leaves after four collegiate seasons and 2,162 points scored while playing at Maryland from 2020-22 and LSU from 2022-2024. She would lead LSU to the 2022-23 NCAA title.

 

The 6-foot-3 Reese averaged 18.6 points and 12.3 rebounds in 116 career games where she started in 104. Reese also garnered First Team All-America, First Team All-SEC, and SEC All-Defensive Team selections while at LSU.

In her final game in the Elite 8, Reese scored 17 points and pulled down 20 rebounds but the Tigers lost to the Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight game, 94-87.