Angel Reese is looking forward to becoming a better player in Atlanta. The former Chicago Sky player recently opened up about the trade that sent her from the Windy City to the Peach State ahead of her third WNBA season. During her first press conference as a Dream player, the LSU alum also addressed why she left the Sky after two seasons.
Angel Reese ‘Wanted More’ Than The Chicago Sky Could Offer Her IN The WNBA
Reese has never been one to shy away from hard questions or difficult topics, and when it was time to discuss her departure from the Sky, the 23-year-old laid it all out there.
According to ESPN, Reese, who is the WNBA’s leading rebounder, got candid about her two seasons with the Sky, during which she played for head coaches Teresa Weatherspoon and Tyler Marsh.
While Reese admitted she’d “always be grateful” for her experience in Chicago, she had bigger aspirations.
“I enjoyed being able to grow within my first two years, but I wanted more. I love to win, I love to compete and I wanted to be surrounded by people that can make me better,” Reese said.
Angel Reese ‘Not Satisfied’ With Where She Is As A Player, Believes Atlanta Will Put Her Over The Edge
Elsewhere during the press conference, Reese, who recently made headlines as the first WNBA player to star in a Victoria’s Secret campaign, said that she believes she still has a lot to learn.
“I am not satisfied with what I am as a player,” she said, adding that her trade to Atlanta is for the best because it’ll allow her to learn from star players.
“I can help them in different ways to help them win, and that’s all I ever wanted. I don’t care about anything else that comes with it. I want to win and being able to come to an organization that really cared about their players,” she added.
Atlanta Dream General Manager Couldn’t Be More Excited About The Team’s New Addition
Reese finished her sophomore season averaging 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. While she put up impressive numbers, the Sky finished 10-34, and were 1 of 13 when Reese wasn’t playing.
Atlanta, meanwhile, was the third-best team in the league, finishing 30-14. However, they couldn’t get over the hump, losing in the first round to the Indiana Fever.
Dream general manager, Dan Padover, believes Reese is the team’s missing puzzle piece.
“When we went into this offseason, we had two main priorities,” he said. “That was retain our core. And to remain opportunistic. And over the last week, I’m thrilled to say we did both. Keeping these players in Atlanta was just so important to us. And the most special thing is that they want to stay here.”
Padover went on to say that having a player such as Reese on the roster will only elevate their level of play. “And to have this whole group as well as the others that are here today come together to try to build something and win a championship. That’s what sports is all about,” he said.
Chicago Sky Parted Ways With Angel Reese Following A Dramatic End To Her Second Season
According to a previous report from The Blast, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca opened up about the trade, saying it was an intentional move to help bring balance to the Sky’s roster. “Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky,” he said.
Reese’s trade comes after the Bayou Barbie bumped heads with the Sky’s front office at the end of her sophomore season. While speaking with the media, Reese brought up her team’s dismal season before demanding change.
“… I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me. But while I am here, I’m going to try to stay open-minded about what I have here and maximize that as much as I can,” she said.
The Sky would end up suspending Reese for half a game for comments they deemed “detrimental” to the team, sparking a flurry of heated responses, including one from an anonymous league executive.
“She needs to get the h-ll out of there,” the exec said. “Chicago is probably the worst-run organization in the league. You’re gonna suspend your best player just because she’s putting pressure on you to get better? That was embarrassing to see.”
NBA Superstar Believes Reese Will Thrive In Atlanta
NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony feels the same way, according to The Blast. On his podcast, the former Denver Nuggets player said the move to sign Reese was a good one because of her growing brand and image.
Elsewhere during the show, Anthony said Reese is the perfect fit for Atlanta, saying, “Angel will put the team over the top. If you’re already a really good team, she’s gonna put you over the top.”
Anthony went on to say that Reese will grow as a player in Atlanta due to the team’s naturally competitive nature.
“Her level of play is going to rise with the level of competition and what you surrounded with,” Anthony said. “If you’re surrounded with people who not thinking like you and don’t have the competitive nature you have, that sh-t can be draining. So, now you’re going to a team who has championsip aspirations.”