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Angel Reese, the star forward who led LSU to its first-ever women's basketball national championship, is at the center of a growing debate as fans call for the Tigers to copy the Iowa Hawkeyes after they retired Caitlin Clark's jersey.
The 23-year-old Indiana Fever became enshrined in Hawkeyes' history forever when her iconic No. 22 jersey was raised to the rafters of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, February 2 in a moving tribue.
But then many fans and analysts began questioning whether LSU would follow suit and retire Reese's No. 10 in the wake of her memorable rivalry with the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I Women's Basketball.
Reese played a crucial role in LSU's 2023 national championship run, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds in the title game and earning Most Outstanding Player honors, following averages of 23.0 points and 15.4 rebounds per game that season.
Attention on her and Clark was so great that the championship itself was a record-breaking spectacle, drawing an average of 9.9 million viewers, peaking at 12.6 million, and even outpacing the men's final with 18.9 million views.
Beyond statistics, Reese had a tangible impact on the popularity of LSU women's basketball. By 2025, demand for LSU tickets had skyrocketed by 223%, largely due to the influence of the Bayou Barbie.
Alongside her rival, Reese has played a key role in the sport's growth even upon turning professional by contributing to a 236% increase in WNBA merchandise sales and record-breaking attendance figures.
Why Reese Might Have to Wait
Yet despite these accomplishments, only two LSU players-Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles-have received the honor of having their jerseys retired, even if ESPN's Mechelle Andrews has argued that Reese "should be the third."
Some skeptics have questioned whether her contributions to LSU warrant an immediate jersey retirement as social media reactions remain mixed.
One took to X.com, formerly Twitter, to write, "@Reese10Angel just watched Iowa retire Caitlin Clark's jersey. Is LSU going to retire yours? What major accomplishment did you bring to LSU besides being a subpar role player?"
Reese left LSU in 2024 and is just beginning her WNBA career with the Chicago Sky, and is yet to forge her own individual legacy, so the Tigers may want to see how her professional journey unfolds before making a decision.