The LSU women’s basketball team will accept an invitation to the White House after beating Iowa in the national title game, contradicting a statement by star player Angel Reese that the Tigers would not visit.
LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette told CNN, USA Today and TMZ on Thursday that the Tigers “certainly” would accept the invitation. Reese said Friday morning on ESPN that she will go with her Tigers teammates to Washington.
“I’m a team player,” Reese said on SportsCenter. “I’m going to do what’s best for the team. I’m a captain. I know the team would love it.”
The Tigers beat Iowa 102-85 on Sunday for their first women’s basketball title. First lady Jill Biden told a crowd Monday in Denver that she knew the Tigers would go to the White House, but she also would tell President Joe Biden that she thinks “Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.”
“Winners and losers, that’s good sportsmanship,” Jill Biden said.
Reese, who totaled 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the win, initially intimidated her disagreement with Biden’s idea to invite both teams by tweeting that it was a “joke.”
Jill Biden’s press secretary, Vanessa Valdivia, appeared to walk back on her offer to invite both teams with a message posted Tuesday on Twitter. Joe Biden also tweeted Tuesday that only the Tigers and the champion UConn men’s team would be invited.
“Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes,” Valdivia tweeted. “She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House.”
The tradition of inviting championship teams to the White House started decades ago, and has not included runner-up finishers.
Reese wrote “we’re not coming, period” earlier this week on the Shade Room’s Instagram account. She later said, “We’ll see,” on I Am Athlete, when asked if she would visit the White House. (UPI)