The latest clash between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets welcomed a member of college basketball royalty on Friday night.
That’s because LSU star Angel Reese sat courtside at Madison Square Garden as she waits to find out where she will be playing in the WNBA next season.
It was announced on Friday that Reese and Caitlin Clark will headline a list of 15 college players who have been invited to the WNBA draft on Monday in Brooklyn.
Reese, known for her eyelash extensions, painted fingernails and ferocious play in the paint, formally declared for the draft last week.
The 21-year-old, whose career interests also include modeling and fashion, announced her decision via a photo shoot in Vogue, saying she was inspired by tennis great Serena Williams announcing her retirement in 2022 in a similar manner.
Angel Reese sat courtside at Madison Square Garden to watch the Knicks beat the Nets
The LSU star posed for the cameras as she waits to find out where she’ll go in the WNBA draft
The 21-year-old announced her decision to enter the draft via a photo shoot in Vogue
Up until LSU’s season ended, Reese publicly left open the option of returning to the Tigers. But she acknowledged having made up her mind to turn pro before March Madness began.
‘Of course, I like to do everything big,’ Reese told the magazine. ‘I didn’t want anything to be basic.
‘I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,’ added Reese, who also has expressed interest in playing professionally in Europe during the WNBA offseason.
‘I’ve won a national championship, I’ve gotten (Southeastern Conference) Player of the Year, I’ve been an All-American. My ultimate goal is to be a pro – and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready.’
Reese helped LSU win the NCAA championship in 2023 and is expected to go somewhere in the first round, potentially to Chicago Sky.
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But before that, she enjoyed a night out watching the Knicks dominate their New York rivals once again.
Reese helped LSU win the NCAA championship in 2023 and is expected to go in the first round
Jalen Brunson had 30 points and 11 assists after a slow start as the Knicks secured home-court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Josh Hart added 16 points and Mitchell Robinson also had 15 for the Knicks, who guaranteed themselves a top-four finish in the East.
Shortly after beating Brooklyn, New York moved into a tie for second in the conference with Milwaukee when the Bucks lost at Oklahoma City.
The Knicks won their fourth straight overall and completed a season sweep of the Nets that tied the all-time series between the local rivals at 107 wins apiece.
Brooklyn had won nine straight, never losing with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in uniform, but New York has won all six meetings since both were traded in the middle of last season.
