*Angel Reese stuns in a purple two-piece bikini for the 2023 SI Swimsuit issue.
The LSU women’s basketball star wears a variety of swimsuits in a behind-the-scenes video from her photo shoot with the publication, which took place in Los Angeles, according to The New York Post.
“I am unapologetically Angel,” Reese, 21, said in a video. “I am a queen. I am confident. I am strong. I am who I am.”
She also explains why she is proud to show off her killer body.
“The biggest takeaway I want people to know is you can be girly off the court and still have swag and just be who you are,” she said. “I mean, I embrace my body and who I am and on the court I can still ball. I am 6’3″, I work out a lot so why not show it? I got a nice little body. When I go to the beach or go to the pool and everybody’s looking, it’s like, ‘damn, you sexy girl.’”
Reese has grown in popularity since taunting Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark using the John Cena “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The move sparked controversy in the sports world — prompting many A-list athletes to come to Reese’s defense amid criticism for her on-court antics.
“Caitlin and I are cool,” Reese told SI, People reports. “It’s just being able to force people to accept that women can talk trash. The women’s side gets penalized for it or we’re considered as not being ladylike and that we’re not playing by the rules. We work just as hard as the men. Women can be who we are; women can be competitive.”
After the Lady Tigers won their first NCAA championship in program history last month, Reese has seen her social media followers across all platforms reach 2 million, MadameNoire reports. According to ON3, her NIL (name, image, and likeness) valuation is now $1.3 million, up from $370,000 before the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
LSU star Angel Reese makes her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut ???? pic.twitter.com/YV8KBNNn4j
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 9, 2023
Reese has landed a slew of NIL appearances with several brands and companies such as Outback Steakhouse, Calvin Klein, Bose, Coach, Raising Cane’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Leaf Trading Cards, Bleacher Report, and the artificial intelligence company Caktus AI, according to the New York Post.
“The days of underexposure, underinvestment and underrepresentation are over,” Reese said in a video on Twitter. “We pushed boundaries, and the world’s taking notice. This is only the beginning. Lean in or lose.”
READ MORE: Angel Reese to Become Top Earning College Basketball Star with NIL Deals
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