As one of the WNBA‘s brightest young stars, Angel Reese introduced herself as a member of the Atlanta Dream with a smile, as the former Chicago Sky forward reflected on her first two professional seasons in a way that suggested her departure was about more than just basketball.
Reese, selected seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, quickly became a central figure in Chicago. She led the league in rebounding across her first two seasons and established herself as a relentless competitor, even as the Sky struggled collectively.
Chicago won just 23 games over that stretch, and frustrations about direction and support began to surface.
Now, after a headline-grabbing trade that sent her to Atlanta in exchange for future first-round picks, Reese is embracing what she describes as a fresh opportunity, while offering subtle insight into why she felt the need for change.
“My two first experiences were in Chicago,” Reese said. “I’m really grateful for the people and the environment that I was in… but I wanted more.”
That desire for “more” is rooted in Reese‘s evolving expectations. No longer a rookie finding her footing, she made it clear that her priorities have shifted toward winning and being part of a system that pushes her forward.
“I love to win. I love to compete, and I wanted to be surrounded by people that can make me better,” she explained. “I’m not satisfied with what I am as a player, and I feel like being around these kinds of players would help me be better.”
While Reese was careful to acknowledge her growth in Chicago, her tone changed when discussing her new environment. She pointed to the support from Atlanta‘s leadership and teammates as a defining difference.
“Having a GM that really wanted me and knew what my talents are… being able to talk to players that genuinely know who I am as a person and as a player is like a breath of fresh air,” she said. “It lowkey makes me emotional because I haven’t had this, and I’m really grateful.”
The comment, though measured, has been widely interpreted as a reflection of what she felt was lacking during her time with the Sky.
Atlanta’s vision aligns with Reese’s ambitions
For the Dream, Reese‘s arrival represents more than just adding talent. General manager Dan Padover described her as a “dynamic talent” who fits seamlessly into the team’s long-term vision, while head coach Karl Smesko highlighted her ability to influence the game in multiple areas.
“She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league,” Padover said. “Her competitiveness, production, and drive to win align seamlessly with what we are building.”
Atlanta is coming off a franchise-record 30-win season and has retained a strong core, including Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Reese joins a roster with greater depth and experience, something she lacked in Chicago.
A defining season ahead for Reese
The expectations now shift to performance. Reese averaged 14.7 points and a league-leading 12.6 rebounds last season, but her efficiency and all-around game remain areas she has openly acknowledged wanting to improve.
“I don’t care about anything else that comes with it,” she said. “At the end of the day, I want to win.”
Her move to Atlanta offers a clearer path toward that goal, with a supporting cast built to compete immediately.
The Dream open their 2026 campaign against the Minnesota Lynx on May 10, a game that will mark Reese‘s first chance to turn her words into results and perhaps confirm whether this new chapter truly delivers what she felt was missing.
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