Jill Biden ends invite for Iowa women's basketball team after LSU player blasts idea

April 5, 2023

First Lady Jill Biden has changed her thoughts on inviting both teams in the NCAA women's basketball championship after LSU player Angel Reese called the idea a "joke."

Biden suggested inviting both teams following the championship game, referring to the hard work by both teams despite LSU's convincing win.

The comments

“I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House; we always do,” Biden said in Denver Monday.

“So, we hope LSU will come, but, you know, I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come too because they played such a good game,” she added.

The pushback

LSU star Angel Reese posted Biden's story to Twitter, referring to the invitation to Iowa as a joke.

Biden soon sent out a new statement through her press secretary.

“The First Lady loved watching the NCAA women’s basketball championship game alongside young student-athletes and admires how far women have advanced in sports since the passing of Title IX,” the first lady’s press secretary, Vanessa Valdivia, tweeted.

“Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House,” Valdivia added.

The controversy follows the billing of the NCAA women's championship as the most-watched in history. Much of the attention was focused on Iowa's Caitlin Clark, who won Player of the Year and has become known for her outstanding deep three-point shooting.

Controversy also ensued following Reese mocking Caitlin late in the game, with many referring to her moves as classless. Others supported Reese, claiming that the attacks against Reese were racially-motivated, as Reese and most of LSU's players are black while many of Iowa's players are white.


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