The next time Angel Reese interacts with the media, it could be representing a different team.
Following her earlier statement about being available later, the Chicago Sky announced on Monday that Reese would not participate in exit interviews with Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins.
After a tough 10-34 season, the Sky is facing changes, and Reese might push for a trade if the offseason doesn’t meet her expectations.
Reese, age 23, stirred up some controversy when she recently expressed dissatisfaction, stating in an interview that she “can’t settle for the same situation this year.”
She also hinted that a roster improvement is essential for her to stay.
“I’m very vocal about what we need and what I want,” she told the media. “I want to be here for my career, but if things don’t work out, I might have to look elsewhere for my own future. While I’m still here, I’ll do my best to maximize my experience.”
According to Reese, bringing in a strong player is “non-negotiable,” and she singled out some teammates, such as Vandersloot, who is 36.
She seems uncertain if Rachel Bunham and Haley Van Lith can carry the team into the playoffs.
“We can’t depend on Courtney to return given her age,” Reese mentioned. “She’ll definitely be a valuable player for us, but relying solely on her isn’t practical. We need someone younger who has championship experience.”
While attempting to clarify her statements, Reese faced some backlash as the Sky considered her comments “harmful to the team.”
She missed the final four games of the season.
Reese was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft after her time at LSU. This season, she averaged 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds, following a rookie season that also featured impressive stats. Both of her rebounding averages ranked among the best in the league.
