CHAMBLEE, GA ― On Wednesday, Angel Reese plays in Chicago at Wintrust Arena. For the first time in her career, it won’t be in a Sky jersey.
Reese was traded on April 6 to the Atlanta Dream after two seasons with the Sky. Now, three weeks after leaving the Windy City, Reese will return to the place where she faced several challenges in her young career.
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The Dream forward did not express any animosity towards the franchise. On Monday, during Atlanta’s training camp, Reese was asked if she had anything to prove to her former teammates.”No. Just another exciting opportunity for me to be in Chicago. I love my experience in Chicago,” Reese said. “It was amazing. Seeing a lot of familiar faces on Wednesday is gonna be good to see.”
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese drives around South Carolina’s Laeticia Amihere in the second half at Colonial Life Arena on Feb. 12, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese drives around South Carolina’s Laeticia Amihere in the second half at Colonial Life Arena on Feb. 12, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Purdue’s Rickie Woltman dribbles under the net against Maryland’s Angel Reese during the fourth quarter of an NCAA women’s basketball game on Feb. 25, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Purdue’s Nyagoa Gony goes up for a shot against Maryland’s Angel Reese during the second quarter of an NCAA women’s basketball game on Feb. 25, 2021, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Maryland Terrapins head coach Brenda Frese and Angel Reese hug after their game against Northwestern at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 12, 2021.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and Maryland’s Angel Reese react to a call during a Big Ten conference game on Feb. 14, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Maryland’s Angel Reese flexes during an NCAA Big Ten conference game against Caitlin Clark and Iowa on Feb. 14, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Maryland’s Angel Reese celebrates after forcing a turnover against Iowa’s Caitlin Clark during a Big Ten game on Feb. 14, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Maryland’s Angel Reese and teammates celebrate after a Big Ten game against Iowa on Feb. 14, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Maryland Terrapins forward Angel Reese after hitting a big shot on March 4, 2022, during the women’s Big Ten tournament action from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Indiana won 62-51.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reese takes a shot as LSU women’s basketball takes on the Auburn Tigers at the Marovich Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Jan. 15, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese looks on before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Jan. 30, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese reacts to a play against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Feb. 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese and South Carolina Gamecocks forward Victaria Saxton tip-off in the first half at Colonial Life Arena on Feb. 12, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese looks on against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 19, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey gives directions to forward Angel Reese against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 19, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU forward Angel Reese pauses at the free throw line against Utah during the fourth quarter in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 24, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese cuts the net to celebrate the team’s win over the Miami Hurricanes in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 26, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese hugs head coach Kim Mulkey and celebrates their win over the Miami Hurricanes in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 26, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU forward Angel Reese poses for a photo with the NCAA trophy after winning the Elite Eight round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU forward Angel Reese holds the NCAA trophy after winning the Elite Eight round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU forward Angel Reese keeps the ball from Miami forward Lola Pendande and Miami guard Jasmine Roberts during the Elite Eight round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU women’s basketball players LaDazhia Williams, Angel Reese, Alexis Morris and Kateri Poole wait to be introduced before Elite Eight round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU forward Angel Reese, or the “Bayou Barbie,” puts on her crown while being introduced before the Elite Eight round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 26, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese looks as head coach Kim Mulkey reacts as they speak to members of the media at American Airlines Center on March 30, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese reacts in the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half in semifinals of the women’s Final Four of the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball tournament at American Airlines Center on March 31, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers guard Flau’jae Johnson celebrates with forward Angel Reese after defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies in semifinals of the women’s Final Four of the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball tournament at American Airlines Center on March 31, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese celebrates with her team after defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies in semifinals of the women’s Final Four of the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball tournament at American Airlines Center on March 31, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese leaps into the air with a teammate prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the final round of the women’s basketball Final Four NCAA tournament at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese and Iowa Hawkeyes forward Monika Czinano battle for the opening tip in the first half during the Final Four championship game in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark defends against LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese in the first half during the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Molly Davis drives to the basket against LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese in the second half during the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey talks with forward Angel Reese during a stop in play against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half during the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half during the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese, middle, reacts after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese reacts while cutting down a piece of the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese celebrates after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese speaks to members of the media after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese gestures and points to her ring finger during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese gestures to Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark after the game in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament national championship game at the American Airlines Center on April 2, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU’s Angel Reese and Emily Ward present President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden jerseys honoring LSU’s 2023 national championship as they visit the White House with LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey on May 26, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU basketball player Angel Reese arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
NCAA women’s basketball national champion Angel Reese prepares to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 18, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese smiles after receiving her 1,000th rebound game ball before a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Nov. 30, 2023.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese reacts after a score against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Jan. 25, 2024.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese takes a photo for senior night with former LSU player and NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey and Reese’s mother, Angel Webb, against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 3, 2024.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese places the LSU nameplate on the Sweet 16 bracket after defeating Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 24, 2024.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reese walks the red carpet before the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on Apr. 15, 2024.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reese poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she is selected with the No. 7 overall pick to the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reese leaves The Mark Hotel for the Met Gala, the annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York on May 6, 2024. The 2024 theme for the gala was “The Garden of Time.”
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese reacts during the first quarter against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on May 15, 2024.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese shoots during the second half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on May 15, 2024.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese arrives for a WNBA game against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena on June 4, 2024.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky reacts after fouling Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 16, 2024 in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese shake hands before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark steals the ball from Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky celebrates against the Seattle Storm during the second half at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 19, 2025 in Chicago, Ill.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese drives to the basket against Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson during the first half at Wintrust Arena on Aug 25, 2025.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Saniya Rivers #22 of the Connecticut Sun and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky embrace after a game at Wintrust Arena on Sept. 3, 2025 in Chicago, Ill.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reese walks the runway for Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025 on Oct. 15, 2025 in New York City.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reece poses during a media opportunity at Bondi Icebergs on Feb. 4, 2026 in Sydney, Australia.
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Angel Reese: WNBA star, LSU national champion, ‘Bayou Barbie’ and Caitlin Clark rival
Angel Reese attends the NBA London Game 2026 at The O2 Arena on Jan. 18, 2026 in London, England.
Wednesday’s preseason game is the first of Year 3 for the two-time All-Star. Now, in a different uniform, Reese has set new goals this season, like helping Atlanta win its first championship.
“There’s no ceiling. I watched them from afar last year and then being able to see the success, that’s the reason why I wanted to be able to come here, because I thought I can help them in ways and they can help me in ways,” Reese said on April 20.
“Being able to go 30-14 under Coach Karl (Smesko) for one year is incredible and just being able to see what they were able to do. I think there’s just so much more that we can do. They weren’t satisfied. … Everybody’s really hungry in their own personal ways, but then coming together as a team and all (having) one goal is really important for us.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Angel Reese’s Chicago return comes with a twist
