LSU White House visit turns into slam dunk for Jill Biden, Angel Reese

The Louisiana State University Tigers celebrated their NCAA victory at the White House Friday by acknowledging how much progress women’s sports have made since Title IX.

“We’ve made so much progress, and we still have more work to do,” first lady Jill Biden said. “As I watched, I felt the history of that moment of all the women before you who dared to be fast and furious, who ignored the critics and just played. I thought about every little girl who will come after how you show them that they belong on the court.”

The White House visit comes after the LSU Tigers women’s team won its first championship after beating the University of Iowa in April.

After the Tigers’ win, Jill Biden said Iowa should also be invited to the White House after praising Iowa’s sportsmanship. In recent decades, the White House has usually hosted only champions.

LSU player Angel Reese tweeted a link to the story of Jill Biden’s comments and said, “A JOKE,” along with three rolling-on-floor-laughing emojis. Reese declined an invitation to the White House but later said she would go because it’s what’s “best for the team.”

On Friday, Reese and Jill Biden shared a hug.

“In this room, I see the absolute best of the best,” Jill Biden said.

President Joe Biden, who also welcomed the team to the White House, said he sees “hope, pride and purpose” in the team.

“Folks, we need to support women’s sports, not just during the championship run, for the entire year and every season,” Joe Biden said.

The Bidens later welcomed members of the University of Connecticut men's basketball team following their national championship victory.