LSU's Angel Reese donates a years tuition for her high school's women's basketball team
LSU star forward Angel Reese became a national star as the Tigers made a historic run to win a national championship this season. And the hoops star has been enjoying a star-turned offseason.
But this week she was giving back. Reese, who attended St. Frances Academy in Maryland as a high school student, donated to cover the tuition for the players on the women’s basketball team there this season.
According to her mom — also named Angel Reese — Reese is donating $12,000 to the same fund that paid for her own tuition all four years that she attended St. Frances.
And mom seemed quite happy with her daughter’s altruism, adding #payitforward and a face surrounded with hearts emoji to the tweet sharing the news.
It’s a donation that’s enabled by Reese being an NIL star, too. The forward has built a brand for herself with her brash, unrepentant play and talk and rose to immense popularity and value this past season. Reese currently ranks No. 6 in the On3 NIL100 ranking, with a value of $1.7 million. It’s the top valuation among all women’s basketball players.
While the charitable work is certainly going to stay a focus for Reese based on her offseason, she’s also plenty focused on basketball.
“I just want to thank LSU, my friends, my fans, Kim Mulkey — everyone that helped me,” Reese said after winning an ESPY. “Last year, I transferred from the University of Maryland and I came to LSU and joined a family. I just want to say thank you and another natty is coming. Period.”
Reese made the donation the same day she hosted a back-to-school giveaway at St. Frances
Reese hyped up the event on social media, posting on X/Twitter to drum up attention.
“Bring all the kids out August 19th!” Reese tweeted. “LET’S GEAUX.”
After leading LSU to its first-ever women’s basketball national title last season, Reese has become one of the biggest names in sports, On3’s Andy Wittry wrote. She received the ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete and she was named BET Sportswoman of the Year.
The Angel C. Reese Foundation sponsored the back-to-school event. She announced the launch of her foundation in July. The foundation’s goal is to empower women and girls through sports.
The block party will provide giveaways such as school supplies, backpacks, food and personal hygiene items. A DJ will perform and there will be bounce houses.