Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky star and one of the WNBA’s brightest talents, made headlines once again – not for her moves on the court, but for her heartwarming (and slightly hilarious) birthday tribute to her former LSU teammate, Kateri Poole. Reese, never one to shy away from expressing love for her squad, posted a nostalgic, tear-jerking (or eye-rolling, depending on who you ask) IG story featuring a collage of their iconic moments, ranging from their LSU days to throwbacks from their childhood.
Reese captioned the collage with:
“LITERALLY MY MUDBABY! BEEN LOCKED IN SINCE WE WERE KIDS! LOVE YOU FOREVER & EVER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOOSKIIII @KATERIPOOLE.”
(Yes, Reese really went all caps. That’s just how she rolls.)
For those unfamiliar with the term “mudbaby,” it’s an endearing (if not confusing) way of saying that these two have been thick as thieves since they were young. If you’re scratching your head wondering what it means, just know it’s a Reese-Poole thing, and we’re all just along for the ride.
LSU Drama, Anyone?
While Reese and Poole’s friendship remains solid, the same can’t be said for Poole’s relationship with LSU. After the last season, Poole transferred to the University of Houston. When fans pressed her on why she left LSU during a live video chat, she didn’t sugarcoat it: she claimed LSU head coach Kim Mulkey straight-up “kicked her off” the team. Cue the drama music.
Mulkey apparently suspected Poole of sharing LSU’s game plans with rival schools, which, in basketball, is basically akin to treason. Poole denied the allegations, of course, but packed her bags for Houston regardless, where she’s now finishing out her collegiate career with the Cougars. In the spirit of basketball melodrama, LSU fans are still recovering from the shock of it all.
Angel Reese: The WNBA’s Girliest “Dog”
Back to Reese, who is very much still in her LSU feels but also killing it in the WNBA. The Chicago Sky rookie had one heck of a debut season, and if you thought she was just about being fierce on the court, think again. Reese is out here redefining what it means to be a baller and a “girly girl,” which, apparently, is totally doable. Nails done, hair on point, Reese is out here dunking on stereotypes—and on defenders—with equal ease.
In an interview with People, Reese made it clear that being fierce and fabulous are not mutually exclusive:
“I’m being the girly girl on the court but still having that dog mentality and being able to go out there and compete too,” Reese said, nails probably sparkling as she spoke. She went on to describe her life as having a “double identity,” like some kind of superhero. Off the court, she’s out there modeling and attending fashion shows, living her best influencer life. On the court? Well, let’s just say nobody wants to stand between Angel Reese and a rebound. Trust us, it won’t end well.
Her message to young women? You can be both. You can be glam and gritty, fashionable and fierce. In her words: “it’s okay to do both.” And in a world that loves to put people in boxes, Reese is here to blow up the whole system. She’s a hooper and a model, a winner and a fashionista. Why settle for one when you can be everything?
Birthday Tribute and Beyond
As for Kateri Poole, she’s now facing her final college basketball season with the Houston Cougars, far away from the LSU drama. But clearly, despite the transfer and all the whispers, her bond with Angel Reese hasn’t faded one bit. After all, as Reese said, they’ve been “locked in” since they were kids.
So while Poole gets ready to close out her college career and Reese continues to make a name for herself in the WNBA (and maybe the Met Gala, who knows?), one thing remains clear: the mudbaby love is forever.
If you needed any more proof that basketball players are just like us, look no further than Angel Reese’s latest birthday shout-out. It’s not every day you get a glimpse of the softer, mushier side of these fierce competitors, but when you do, it’s worth savoring—caps lock and all.
