Lolo Jones didn’t agree with Shaq calling Angel Reese the ‘greatest athlete’ to come out of LSU
Angel Reese is quickly making a name for herself as one of the all-time greats in the LSU canon after leading the program to its first women’s basketball championship.
Reese’s career isn’t over. After earning All-American honors this season, she’ll be back looking for a repeat (and to become the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft next spring).
Still, former LSU men’s basketball star and NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal raised some eyebrows this week when he called Reese the “greatest athlete to come out of LSU. Male or female.”
She may have a claim when it’s all said and done, but that title is highly contested. One athlete who has a claim to it is former hurdler (and later Olympic bobsledder) Lolo Jones.
Jones — who won three national titles and earned 11 All-America honors while at LSU — took a shot at Shaq’s characterization, per TMZ, and even implied that pain medication from his recent surgery may have played a roll.
“Shaq knew what he was doing,” Jones said. “Shaq’s just bored. He’s coming off hip surgery. He’s chilling at home. I think Shaq, honestly, is high on some pain medicines. The list is so big with LSU.”
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“So, for Shaq to have the audacity to say ‘she’s the best ever,'” Jones continued, “I’m like, ‘Bro, chill on the pain meds,’ because that list is arduous. So long.”
Jones certainly has a point. Both she and O’Neal have arguments for making that claim, not to mention other greats like Joe Burrow, Pete Maravich, etc.
She later clarified that her comments were not intended to be a shot at Reese but rather to point out the proud history of the athletics department and her track and field program, specifically.
“We’re not hating on Angel. We love to see it. She’s cooking. Let her keep cooking. But I’m telling you, LSU track and field is the powerhouse for that university.”
The debate regarding LSU’s GOAT will continue, but another special season from Reese could certainly bolster her argument.
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