Angel Reese Shines in Emotional Baton Rouge Homecoming as Sky Face Brazil in Unforgettable Exhibition Match at PMAC

Baton Rouge felt like it had never let her go. On Friday night, Angel Reese walked back onto the court inside LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, the place where she grew from a college star into a cultural icon. But this time, she was wearing a different jersey—Chicago Sky blue and yellow—marking her official return not as a Tiger, but as a professional. The opponent: the Brazilian national team. The event: an international exhibition with more emotional weight than athletic consequence. Yet for Reese, and for Baton Rouge, it meant everything.

Cheers erupted from all four corners of the PMAC as Reese emerged from the tunnel with her Sky teammates. Fans stood, applauded, and some even wept. They waved signs that read “Bayou Barbie Forever” and “Welcome Home, Angel.” This wasn’t just a basketball game—it was a homecoming celebration, a love letter between a city and a player who transformed its women’s basketball program and inspired a generation.

From the opening tip, it was clear that Reese’s competitive fire hadn’t dimmed in the slightest since she last wore purple and gold. She moved across the court with familiar swagger—rebounding fiercely, finishing in transition, and flashing that unmistakable confidence that helped LSU capture the 2023 NCAA national title and reach back-to-back Elite Eights. In just her second exhibition as a WNBA rookie, Reese showed she belonged, but in Baton Rouge, she was more than a professional—she was a legend returning to her roots.

The Chicago Sky, preparing for their regular season opener, were using the exhibition as a tune-up against international competition. Brazil, a longtime power in South American women’s hoops, brought a mix of veterans and rising stars. But for the first three quarters, the game was almost secondary to the moment. Fans chanted “Let’s go Angel!” during free throws. The LSU band played its familiar fight songs. Even current LSU players and coach Kim Mulkey sat courtside, grinning, clapping, and embracing the woman who helped take their program to new heights.

“Being back here, it’s emotional,” Reese said postgame, her voice cracking slightly. “I walked into the building and just felt this energy, this love. This place helped shape me—not just as a basketball player, but as a person. It feels like coming home.”

And home welcomed her with open arms.

During a timeout in the second quarter, the Sky’s coaching staff paused the game briefly to honor Reese with a surprise tribute. A video montage played across the scoreboard, featuring highlights from her LSU days—her double-doubles, her iconic gestures, her dominant championship performance, and of course, that unforgettable stare-down of Caitlin Clark in the 2023 title game. The crowd roared louder with each clip. Reese stood near half court, visibly emotional, wiping a tear as the PMAC rose to its feet once again.

Even her former teammates, now scattered across other programs or prepping for their own WNBA journeys, sent in video messages shown during halftime. Alexis Morris, Flau’jae Johnson, and LaDazhia Williams all offered words of pride and affection. “You didn’t just rep LSU,” said Johnson in her message, “you changed the game for us. Go be great in Chi-Town, but don’t forget—we’re always your family.”

Back on the court, Reese’s game spoke for itself. She finished the night with 18 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes, constantly involved in both ends of the floor. Her footwork in the paint was sharper than ever, her transition defense improved, and her outlet passing—a skill still underappreciated by many—looked crisp and composed. She brought that same relentless edge, crashing the glass and hustling after loose balls, the traits that earned her the nickname “Queen of the Boards” in college.

“She’s a pro in every sense,” Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said. “She understands the moment, sure, but she doesn’t get lost in it. She’s already becoming a leader for us. Baton Rouge made her tough, and we’re lucky to have that kind of toughness on our side now.”

Brazil’s squad put up a solid fight, especially in the third quarter when they rallied to cut a 15-point deficit down to five. But Reese, alongside Sky veteran Marina Mabrey and rookie guard Kamilla Cardoso, helped close out the game with poise. A fourth-quarter putback by Reese, followed by a celebratory chest-pound to the crowd, brought fans to their feet one last time.

For many in the stands, the experience was bittersweet. Seeing Reese in a different uniform was a reminder that time moves on. But for LSU fans, there was also pride—knowing that their program had helped develop not just one of the best players in college basketball, but now one of the brightest young stars in the WNBA.

“When you recruit a player like Angel, you know she’s going to do something special,” said Coach Mulkey afterward. “But what she did here—on the court, off the court, for this city, for women’s basketball—goes beyond special. It’s generational. We were blessed to have her.”

The impact of Reese’s time in Baton Rouge extends well beyond championships or stat lines. She brought style, bravado, visibility, and a new kind of freedom to the college game. She embraced her individuality, her identity, and her platform unapologetically, inspiring athletes across the country to do the same. And in doing so, she turned LSU into a destination program, made the PMAC a must-watch venue, and drew attention to the growth of the women’s game in the South.

Reese’s return to Baton Rouge, albeit brief, underscored that impact. Ticket sales for the exhibition sold out in hours. Local vendors couldn’t stock “Bayou Barbie” shirts fast enough. Youth basketball clinics surrounding the event saw record attendance. And social media lit up with highlights, selfies, and tributes to the hometown hero’s return.

“She’s the reason I started playing ball,” said 12-year-old Jordan McCallister, who attended the game with her mother. “I want to be like her one day—not just how she plays, but how she believes in herself. She makes it okay to be confident.”

After the game, Reese lingered on the court, signing autographs, posing for photos, and embracing old friends and new fans alike. She hugged Kim Mulkey, kissed the LSU logo near center court, and waved one final time before jogging off into the tunnel, this time headed toward the pros—but never away from home.

“I know I’m in Chicago now,” Reese said. “But Baton Rouge will always be part of me. Y’all gave me so much love, and I hope I gave y’all just as much back.”

There was never any doubt.

Angel Reese didn’t just return to Baton Rouge—she reigned over it one more time.