Louisiana State University basketball star Angel Reese is facing backlash and speculation surrounding her absence from the team. Fans are questioning whether her academic performance may be the cause, raising concerns about the accountability of athletes in brand deals.
‘2.0 Or Less GPA’?
Reese’s absence from the LSU basketball team following her benching in a game against Kent State on Nov. 14 has sparked rumors about her academic performance.
Speculation arose after comments made by Reese’s mother and a teammate’s mother on social media. Flau’jae Johnson’s mother commented on her Instagram story on Nov. 17, suggesting Reese makes grammar errors due to a low GPA.
“You definitely know about grammar errors when your daughter has a 2.0 or less GPA,” Flau’jae mother commented on her Instagram story on November 17.
Users reacted to the claims of Reese allegedly having a low GPA.
One user named @2techie commented, “Everybody knows student athletes don’t go to class ,” another user named @yarneprenuer_ commented “this is embarrassing. As a student athlete she knows better.”
‘Please Don’t Believe Everything You Read’
The reason for Reese’s absence is not confirmed, but Reese posted on Twitter (X) a statement, saying, “Please don’t believe everything you read,” on November 19.
However, no confirmation has been given regarding the reason for her absence or the validity of the low GPA allegations. It remains uncertain if any of her NIL(Name Image Likeness) deals, including Reebok, McDonald’s, Raising Canes, Wingstop, and others, will cut ties based on academic performance.
The Requirements
The NCAA requires Division I student-athletes to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.3 to remain eligible.
Failure to meet this academic requirement can result in an athlete becoming academically ineligible to represent their institution in intercollegiate athletics competitions. NCAA rules dictate that academics also play a crucial role in preserving eligibility for NIL deals.
Student-athletes need to understand that NCAA NIL rules do not supersede state, college/university, or conference-specific rules. Therefore, athletes must familiarize themselves with the guidelines of their respective states, colleges, and conferences to ensure compliance.
Failure to meet academic standards or remaining permanently ineligible due to poor academic performance can lead to the loss of NIL deals.
‘Dormz’
In July 2023, Angel Reese was featured in a commercial for Amazon with her LSU teammate Flau’jae Johnson. The commercial was titled “Dormz,” and featured the athletes showcasing their dorm rooms and Amazon accessories.
DaBaby Reveals How He Lost $200M
Similar to Angel Reese’s potential repercussions, DaBaby experienced financial losses in brand deals over contentious remarks he made at Rolling Loud in 2021. In an interview on the Club Shay Shay podcast, DaBaby revealed that he lost a potential $200 million in endorsements due to his controversial comments during his performance.