President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are presented with jerseys by LSU women's basketball team captains Angel Reese, right, and Emily Ward, left, during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national championship team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
President Joe Biden is presented with a jersey by Connecticut guard Andre Jackson, Jr., left, and Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo during an event to celebrate the University of Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team's 2022-2023 NCAA Championship season in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 26, 2023.
People react as Sa'Myah Smith, center, appears to collapse on stage during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington. A wheelchair was brought in and coach Kim Mulkey later told the audience that Smith was fine.
Angel Reese, center, stands with fellow LSU women's basketball team members during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
Vice President Kamala Harris holds hands with President Joe Biden after introducing him to speak during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
President Joe Biden speaks during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
President Joe Biden shakes hands with LSU head coach Kim Mulkey as he speaks during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
President Joe Biden talks with Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley, Connecticut guard Andre Jackson, Jr., left, and Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo after he was presented a jersey during an event to celebrate the University of Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team's 2022-2023 NCAA Championship season in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 26, 2023.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are presented with jerseys by LSU women's basketball team captains Angel Reese, right, and Emily Ward, left, during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national championship team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
Evan Vucci - staff, AP
President Joe Biden is presented with a jersey by Connecticut guard Andre Jackson, Jr., left, and Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo during an event to celebrate the University of Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team's 2022-2023 NCAA Championship season in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 26, 2023.
Susan Walsh - staff, AP
People react as Sa'Myah Smith, center, appears to collapse on stage during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington. A wheelchair was brought in and coach Kim Mulkey later told the audience that Smith was fine.
Evan Vucci - staff, AP
Angel Reese, center, stands with fellow LSU women's basketball team members during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
Evan Vucci - staff, AP
Vice President Kamala Harris holds hands with President Joe Biden after introducing him to speak during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
Evan Vucci - staff, AP
President Joe Biden speaks during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
Evan Vucci - staff, AP
President Joe Biden shakes hands with LSU head coach Kim Mulkey as he speaks during an event to honor the 2023 NCAA national champion LSU women's basketball team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Washington.
Evan Vucci - staff, AP
President Joe Biden talks with Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley, Connecticut guard Andre Jackson, Jr., left, and Connecticut forward Adama Sanogo after he was presented a jersey during an event to celebrate the University of Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team's 2022-2023 NCAA Championship season in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 26, 2023.
WASHINGTON — All of the past drama and sore feelings associated with Louisiana State’s invitation to the White House was seemingly forgotten or set aside Friday as President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed the championship women’s basketball team to the mansion with smiles, hugs and lavish praise all around.
The visit had once appeared in jeopardy after Jill Biden suggested that the losing Iowa team be invited, too. But none of that was mentioned as Biden heralded the players for their performance and the way they have helped advance women’s sports.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Send us your photos! Have some photos on your phone or computer? Send them to The Mercury and see them in print! We’ll print them each Tuesday on Snapshots.
