LSU basketball star Angel Reese made a triumphant return to the court on Thursday against Virginia Tech after a mysterious absence from the team's previous four games. The sophomore player had not been seen in action since being benched in the second half of a game against Kent State on November 14. However, Reese's return was not without its intrigue, as she took to Instagram the following day posting photos of herself along with a cryptic message. "Just make sure that apology is as loud as the disrespect," she wrote, leaving fans and followers wondering who the message was directed towards.

Rumors had been swirling for weeks regarding the reason behind Reese's four-game absence. LSU head coach Kim Mulkey refused to provide details, only alluding to "locker room issues." Despite the lack of clarity, Mulkey expressed pride in Reese's handling of the situation and commended her performance on the court. "Proud of her," Mulkey stated after the victory over Virginia Tech. "Just proud of how she handled herself, proud she's back to the Angel everybody knows. There's nothing but positive things about what happened on that floor."

However, Reese's absence was not the only source of drama surrounding the team. A social media spat between Reese's mother, Angel Webb Reese, and the mother of teammate Flau'jae Johnson added fuel to the fire. Angel Webb Reese criticized Johnson's grammar on Instagram, prompting a response from Johnson's mother, Kia Brooks, who accused Reese's mother of being petty and fake.

Despite these distractions, Reese was clearly relieved to be back on the court and emphasized the importance of prioritizing her mental health. "My mental health is the most important thing before anything," Reese emphasized. "And I'm going to make sure I'm OK before anything. Because I don't want to cause anything, harm or any cancer within the locker room. So, being able to take a reset to myself. Like I said before, I am human. I'm not just an athlete, and that's OK to do. Pro's do it all the time."

Reese's return proved crucial for the LSU Tigers as they faced off against Virginia Tech in a rematch of last year's Final Four game in the NCAA Tournament. With Reese back in action, LSU secured the victory, improving their record to 8-1 for the season. Reese expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her absence, particularly mentioning her conversations with NBA and LSU legend Shaquille O'Neal. "I talked to Shaq every day. We Facetimed every day. He checked on me, called me every day to make sure I was good," Reese shared. "Just being able to have somebody like that was something that was really good for me. He told me when I was right. He told me when I was wrong. He told me what I needed to do to get back to where I am."

The full reason for Reese's absence still remains unknown, leaving fans and analysts guessing. However, her return to the court has undoubtedly provided a boost to the LSU Tigers as they aim to replicate their success from last season and defend their basketball national title.