One of the hardest things to do in sports is to exceed high expectations. Part of that is the pressure and attention that comes with it. There’s also the regression element. If only a few outcomes meet the expectations, it’s more likely an athlete falls short.
[autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] and [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] both accomplished everything there was to accomplish at the college level. They were All-Americans as individuals and both led their team a title.
Both were among the first players off the board in their respective drafts, with Skenes going No. 1 overall. The two both draw attention away from the field and court too, owning impressive social media followings.
A lot of athletes would struggle to meet the expectations in these circumstances. Skenes and Reese are finding ways to blow by them. Reese leads the WNBA in rebounds while leading all rookies in win shares. Skenes is the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year in the NL. Both are already All-Stars.
This is a good look for LSU. Neither athlete began their career with the Tigers but both arrived in Baton Rouge looking to take the next step. They did just that.
Keep stacking the honors ⭐️@Reese10Angel & @Paul_Skenes have been named All-Stars in their rookie seasons! pic.twitter.com/LYUeKdtkEy
— LSU Tigers (@LSUsports) July 8, 2024
Both athletes just have something about them. You can’t put your finger on it, but you know it’s special. It was evident on their national championship runs in 2023 and it’s even clearer now.
Of course, this success comes as no surprise to LSU fans who watched them play. Skenes and Reese faced high-pressure moments throughout their college careers and found a way to deliver nearly every time.
They haven’t yet reached those same heights at the professional level, but it looks like they’re on their way.
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