Shaquille O'Neal anoints Angel Reese 'greatest athlete' in LSU history

LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese put together a memorable year. After transferring from Maryland, Reese set the NCAA Division I single-season record with 34 double-doubles and led the Tigers to a national championship.

Reese has firmly etched her name in LSU history, joining the likes of Tigers legends Pete Maravich, Seimone Augustus and Shaquille O’Neal as one of the program’s influential athletes.

According to O’Neal, Reese has not only cemented her legacy. She has ascended into the conversation as the "greatest athlete" to ever play at LSU.

"She’s probably the greatest athlete ever to come out of LSU sports. You heard it here first," O’Neal said on 'The Big Podcast with Shaq.' "Male and female. Ever."

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It’s high praise for the self-proclaimed "Bayou Barbie." However, Reese has certainly earned her proverbial stripes with the Tigers. She led LSU to the first basketball championship in program history and was named the 2023 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She also was a unanimous first-team All-American while averaging 23 points, 15.4 rebounds and shooting 52.5% from the field.

"She delivered that package," O’Neal said. "See, a lot of us got the package, and we still got the package in our truck. She delivered that package. So, you know, there’s a lot of names you could throw around – men and women – but she’s probably the greatest athlete. Some people are going to exclude it to women athletes. I’m not doing that.

"She’s the greatest athlete to ever come out of LSU."

Reese can add to her resume next season. She will lead a revamped LSU roster alongside teammate Flau’jae Johnson and Kateri Poole. LSU also has the No. 1 recruiting class that will feature top prospects Mikaylah Williams and Aalyah Del Rosario among others.