Angel Reese Wins ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete, Stuns in Gold Gown Featuring Thigh-High Slit
LSU basketball player Angel Reese has had a fantastic, award-filled year—and it just keeps getting better. The 21-year-old, who was featured in the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue after being photographed by Yu Tsai in Los Angeles, led the Tigers to their first NCAA women’s basketball championship in April.
Reese, who was also named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, received the ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete at the ceremony in Los Angeles on July 12. Caitlin Clark, Brock Purdy and Julio Rodriguez were among the fellow nominees.
Reese arrived on the red carpet in a stunning gold scoop neck gown with thick straps and a thigh-high slit on one side. Her hair was slicked back into a high ponytail with her edges perfectly laid, and the Bayou Barbie accessorized with thin black stilettos and chunky gold earrings.
The honor shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone—Reese dominated the 2022–23 season and broke the NCAA record with 34 double-doubles. Additionally, she set the SEC single-season record with 555 rebounds throughout the season. The Baltimore native was also a unanimous first-team All-American selection.