Angel Reese's Cousin Jordan Hawkins Speaks Out Amid Controversy

Angel Reese has "the heart of a lion" according to her cousin, UConn player Jordan Hawkins.

Reese has faced criticism over the past few days after she mocked opponent Caitlin Clark with the "you can't see me" gesture in the final of the NCAA Women's tournament. She used the same gesture Clark had used in Louisiana State University's (LSU) final four victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks. She also pointed at her ring finger, signifying where a championship ring would soon be as it looked like they'd be winning the game.

Hawkins, who won the men's NCAA tournament with UConn on Monday, spoke out in defense of his cousin after the game.

"Angel has the heart of a lion, she's not worried about any of that," Hawkins told reporters after the game. "She's from the dirty streets of Baltimore, so she's the toughest of the toughest. That's not anything to her."

Reese has faced criticism from the basketball community, though a number of prominent figures have stood up for her.

LeBron James praised Reese on Twitter, while Shaquille O'Neal slammed former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann for criticizing her. "Shut your dumb a** up leave Angel Reese alone," Shaq wrote.

Olbermann responded to Shaq, saying that he "criticized both her AND Caitlin Clark" for their behaviors in the tournament.

Reese and Hawkins' family now have double reason to celebrate after both were part of winning NCAA basketball teams this year.

"We're going to have a big cookout for the whole family when I get home, that's all I know," Hawkins told reporters on the court, moments after UConn beat San Diego State 76-59 Monday night at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Reese and Hawkins' victories came a day apart from each other, after Reese's LSU thrashed Iowa in their final.

Reese approved of the plans with a tweet of her own after Hawkins' victory. "Cookout this year bout to go uppp," she wrote on Monday night, with a crying emoji face.

Reese has been active on social media since her victory. She retweeted and replied after Lil Wayne celebrated her win. She also retweeted Shaq's tweet and wrote, "yeah my uncle Shaq don't play bout me. period." Reese also received and retweeted a congratulatory message from Barack Obama who she called "my president."

There was a suggestion that first lady Jill Biden wanted to invite both the winners (LSU) and runners up (Iowa) to the White House; a suggestion which didn't sit well with Reese. She retweeted a report which made this suggestion and called it "a joke."