“It was a long two weeks to be away from the team,” Reese explained to reporters following LSU’s recent 82-64 victory over Virginia Tech, BET.com reports.
“Taking time for yourself is really important. I just felt like that was something that was important, resetting and refocusing within the team,” she continued. “I’m just happy to be back and this place was amazing tonight. I’m just happy to be here with them,” Reese added.
The “Bayou Barbie” said her 4-game absence was due to her prioritizing her mental well-being.
“My mental health is the most important thing before anything, and I’m going to make sure I’m OK before anything because I don’t want to cause anything, harm, or any cancer in the locker room,” Reese said, adding, “I’m moving forward and I’m going to help take this team as far as I can.”
Reese said one of her biggest supporters is NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal.
“I talk to Shaq every day. He FaceTimes me every day. He checked on me. He called me every single day to make sure I was good. He told me every day this too shall pass,” Reese said.
“He’s been here before. He knows what it takes and just being able to have somebody like that was something that was really good for me,” she continued.
“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 needed to be and I know he’s gonna call me after the game, if he hasn’t already.”