Angel Reese is expressing the need for the Chicago Sky to change its recruiting approach, and she will play a role in making it happen after the 2025 season concludes.
According to The Chicago Tribune, the first two seasons of the WNBA breakout star’s career haven’t been what she envisioned. During her rookie year, the team. That same year, executive leadership decided to let go of head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after they failed to make the playoffs, which she seemingly did not support. In the current season, which wraps up in October, the team is 10-30 right now and fifth in the Eastern Conference Division. The 23-year-old believes a new roster is needed, as there will be many free agents available to pick up because the current lineup isn’t cutting it.
Angel Reese pushes for top talent to secure Chicago’s championship future
At least 24 WNBA All-Star players will be among the talent pool from which the league’s teams will have to choose. In an exclusive interview with the publication, Reese got candid about the current state of the team and what she hopes can happen in the off-season to increase the franchise’s chances of winning.
“I’m not settling for the same s**t we did this year,” the athlete told The Chicago Tribune. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.”
She continued, “I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason. So it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.”
Serious about planting roots, Reese bought a house in Lemont, which is more than 35 minutes outside the city. She mentioned that she’d like to remain in Chicago for her basketball career, if possible, but will leave if it no longer serves her desires.
“I am very vocal about what we need and what I want,” Reese shared. “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.”
Coach Tyler Marsh landed Ariel Atkins during this year’s WNBA draft, but the team faced an unexpected loss when veteran and 2X champion Courtney Vandersloot had a season-ending injury. Although she supports her teammates, she opened up about them regarding a chance at obtaining a championship title.
“We can’t rely on Courtney to come back at the age that she’s at,” Reese said. “I know she’ll be a great asset for us, but we can’t rely on that. We need someone probably a little younger with some experience, somebody who’s been playing the game and is willing to compete for a championship and has done it before.”
The challenge isn’t just building a roster for her; it’s convincing top talent to take a leap of faith on a franchise still proving its direction.
“We need great players, and I don’t know what will attract that,” Reese voiced. “Maybe the practice facility will attract that, we’ll see.”
“But the priority is being able to convince (free agents) that this is an organization that is going in the right direction. Honestly, it would be a leap of faith for a great, great player to come here and show that this is something that they want to be a part of and we can bring that championship mentality,” she added.
She also noted that one of the things that would help the team’s development would be tougher coaching from Tyler Marsh to help elevate the team’s dynamic and skills.
Angel Reese clarifies remarks after Tribune story, apologizes to teammates
Her teammates and the front office have caught wind of Reese’s comments and haven’t made any public statements. Marsh did disclose that they are handling concerns, and what was mentioned by the ESPY award winner.
“We are aware of it,” Marsh said per Front Office Sports. “We’re addressing it in-house as currently speaking. That’s where we’ll stay right now.”
Following Wednesday night’s game against the Connecticut Sun, she addressed the statements she made to The Chicago Tribune about her teammates, saying the article did not accurately reflect her thoughts.
“I’m probably frustrated with myself right now,” Reese told media, according to Front Office Sports. “I think the language is taken out of context. I didn’t intentionally mean to put down my teammates because they’ve been through this with me throughout the whole season. They’ve busted their ass just like I busted my ass. They showed up through thick and thin with me when nobody could see anything. I would apologize to my teammates, which I already have, about the article and how it was misconstrued.”
