Angel Reese opens up about expectations for the league ahead of draft day

Before a crucial evening that can determine her skilled future, Angel Reese stopped by Raising Cane’s in Greenwich Village in New York to “work a shift” and greet fans one last time as a school athlete.

When asked what she must remember as she goes from NCAA star to big league rookie, Reese says she is motivated by the impact she has on the next generation.

“We give young girls the impression that they can do these things,” Reese says. “You never really see a young black girl being able to do that, so I want them to have a face [to look to] and understand that they can have the same opportunities that I have.”

“Being able to leave a mark… it’s bigger than basketball,” she continued, talking about her impact. “I know I’m a great basketball player, but a lot of people look up to me as an inspiration and I want to be that when I leave the game and hang up my jersey for the last time.”

Although the beautiful ballista is well aware that tens of millions of young eyes at the moment are taking a look at her, she once found herself in such a situation, drawing her own inspiration. For her, her mother was a hero.

“My mom was a single mom and she took care of me and my brother,” she tells ESSENCE. “Me and my brother are 11 months apart, so the schedule was crazy, [us] I could play so many alternative sports, but my grandparents were amazing too. She gave me the inspiration that you could do anything you set your mind to. Never depend on anyone. That’s why I’m so independent and may be so strong. It’s because of her.

Reese’s undeniable talent and fiery on-court personality earned her each praise and excessive ridicule during her time at LSU. Despite the ups and downs of her collegiate profession, Reese remained focused, along with her famous crown firmly attached to her head – literally and figuratively. While she says the crown is something she probably won’t bring along with her to the WNBA, it’s one of many fond memories from her time in Baton Rouge.

“Being able to be at LSU is a family,” Reese said of the lessons she learned as a Tiger. “Every night they come out to show love for women’s basketball and that gives me hope. It gave me a platform where I can express my opinion and know that they support me.”

“Through everything I know I will always be Bayou Barbie because Louisiana will always be home to me.”

As she says goodbye to the school and athletic program that helped shape her, Reese is able to begin the next chapter of her profession. While she’s willing to present it her all and pursue her goal of becoming one of the biggest people in the sport, she says she approaches it with great respect for the women who already hold the position she aspires to.

“I will be a rookie in a big league with a lot of women who were great before me and they set the tone,” she says. “I go there with respect because of who they are and what they have done.”

“I’m excited. I do know the game is about to go crazy. I do know the viewership is growing and I’ve seen all sorts of things on social media about how we are able to get it up – even when only the newbies can deliver it [extra] promoting for vets because they deserve it.”

But make no mistake, this hardwood star plans to make just as big a mark in the pros as he did in the NCAA.

“Of course I want to be ready to learn and grow from the vets, but I can’t [do] I want to come in and dominate.”