The LSU star did not reveal the exact reason for her absence, but noted how important it is to take “time for yourself”

Angel Reese rejoined the LSU Tigers on Thursday following a four-game absence.

Reese, 21, jokingly asked the reporters “how happy” they were to see her on Thursday as she sat down for postgame questions.

Per the Associated Press, Reese told reporters her time away from the team “felt great,” although it was a “long week and a half” for her.

“Taking time for yourself is really important,” she said. “I feel like that’s something that was important, resetting and focusing within the team.”
When asked about the reason for her absence, the LSU star was unspecific, but explained, “My mental health is the most important before anything, and I’m gonna make sure I’m okay before anything, because I don’t wanna cause any harm or cancer in the locker room.”

Reese added that she wants “people to realize I’m not just an athlete – I’m a human too.”

“I go through things, we all go through things, and just being able to have so many people that were super supportive to me in this past week and a half really showed me a lot.”

Reese continued, “So being able to take a reset to myself, as I said before, I am human, I’m not just an athlete, and that’s okay to do.”

Addressing the speculation around what was keeping her away from the team, Reese said, “Whatever stories that were written, don’t believe everything you read. I’m back, and I’m happy, and I’m here, and I’m moving forward and I’m gonna help take this team as far as I can.”

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During her time away from the Tigers, LSU maintained their impressive level of play, and Reese said she’s “really happy” about how the team is playing currently.

Reese added that her role now is “just coming back and doing whatever it takes to win.”
Reese credited her mom, Angel Reese Webb, for being supportive through her absence, and said outside of her family, she received the biggest show of support from NBA legend, and LSU alum, Shaquille O’Neal.

“He told me every day, like, ‘This, too, shall pass,’” Reese said of the NBA legend. “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.”

Reese also spoke highly of head coach Kim Mulkey during Thursday’s postgame press conference when one reporter referenced her quote from earlier this year when she said she “needed Kim Mulkey” in her life.

“I’m gonna say that today, tomorrow, next year, til the day I die, and that’s just how I feel,” Reese answered. “I’m at LSU because of Kim Mulkey, and that’s how I feel.”
In June, Reese opened up about the pressure of her rising fame in an interview with PEOPLE.

Reese said she’s definitely felt “overwhelmed” with “so many” eyes on her, but added that she’s embraced the opportunity to be a role model. “It’s a blessing, honestly. I’ve kind of embraced it. People are watching me,” she said. “I mean, it’s a fast life I’m living. I think I have to mature quickly.”

Reese continued, “I’m going to learn from mistakes that I make, but I have a lot of great people around me that help me and I’m blessed to have them around me. I’m happy.”