Women’s basketball star Hailey Van Lith heaped praise on her LSU Tigers teammate Angel Reese following her transfer to the team earlier in the year.

Van Lith joined the reigning national champions back in April having become one of the highest-rated college prospects in recent years. Her exploits with Louisville Cardinals over the last three years – and her five gold medal wins with the United States teams at various youth levels – saw her rise to prominence.

The 22-year-old point guard has since become one of the most exciting players in the sport n recent seasons and made the decision to link up with another highly-rated talent in Reese. The pair have become teammates following LSU’s first-ever national championship win last year.

Speaking out on her move to the team before the season, Van Lith revealed that Reese was a huge factor in her wanting to join the team.

“There’s great examples right now of women in the WNBA who are continuing to break down those barriers every day,” she said speaking to NBC Sports.

“Even one of my new teammates, Angel Reese, I think she’s a great example of someone who is okay with who she is. She’s someone that doesn’t let societal standards tear her down from being what makes her great.

Hailey Van Lith has spoken highly of her LSU Tigers teammate Angel Reese ( 
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Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“Be vocal, have the attitude, have the sass, because it’s all part of the game. It’s what makes people want to watch.”

The basketball star went on to reveal what drew her to the LSU program, and again name-dropped Reese as the inspiration behind her move that she hopes will propel her to the WNBA.

“There are a lot of things,” she added. “I want to play with other really great players that will help get me ready for the WNBA.

“I wanted to play with a really great five or a four and Angel Reese fits that perfectly. Coach Kim Mulkey, she’s one of the greatest and she’s fiery and intense but she also celebrates you, and lifts you up, and has your back like no other. I wanted to explore that relationship.”

Despite Van Lith’s praise, the two haven’t yet had much chance to play together. That’s because Reese has generated headlines due to an unexplained absence from their last two games.

Last year’s NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player was benched for the second half in the Tiger’s fourth game of the season. She also hasn’t been seen traveling with the team ahead of their games against Niagara on Friday and Virginia on Saturday in the Cayman Islands.

Mulkey has not given a clear reason for Reese’s absence.

“Angel was not in uniform. She is a part of this basketball team,” Mulkey said following the Tigers’ 106-47 win over Texas Southern. “We hope she’s back with the team soon. I’m not going to answer any more than that. Sometimes you want to know more than you’re entitled to know. I’m going to protect my players.”