Angel Reese isn’t easing into her second WNBA season—she’s expanding into it. During the preseason, the 6-foot-3 Chicago Sky forward didn’t just dominate the glass or post up defenders. She brought the ball up. Initiated offense. Operated in the pick-and-roll. That wasn’t an experiment. That was a preview.
“We started her at point forward last game,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “She’s capable of making plays for other people. Her versatility is clearly special.”
Reese averaged 13.6 points, a league-best 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game during her rookie campaign, leading the WNBA in offensive and total rebounds while setting a rookie record with 26 double-doubles. Now, under new head coach Tyler Marsh and an upgraded roster, Reese is empowered to do even more.
Angel Reese: “I’m Doing Whatever I Need For the Team”
Reese is known for her relentless motor and toughness, but her mindset may be the most underrated part of her game. She doesn’t get caught up in labels or expectations—she competes.
“I’ve always been a player for the team,” Reese said. “Every team I’ve been on, I’ve done what was needed to win. I don’t care about anything else. I’m doing whatever I need for the team.”
That team-first approach has made her adaptable to Sky’s evolving system. With a deeper rotation and improved floor spacing around her, Reese has more freedom to make decisions as a facilitator, not just a finisher.
In preseason action, she’s flashed the ability to handle, create off the dribble, and find open shooters from the top of the floor—all while maintaining her dominance on the glass.
“I’m just trying to be consistent and confident,” she said. “Not trying to do anything I’m not capable of, but also not hesitating like I did sometimes last year. Just taking what’s there.”
Tyler Marsh: “We Don’t Want to Limit Her”
That confidence is something Reese is earning from her coaching staff, too.
“There are no limits to who she can be as a player,” Marsh said. “She can handle, she can pass, she can play off the bounce. That’s what we want her to feel. We want to put her all over the place.”
Marsh emphasized that Reese’s versatility isn’t a secondary option—it’s a feature of the offense. Whether she’s grabbing a rebound and pushing in transition, initiating in the halfcourt, or slipping into trail actions and pick-and-rolls, the Sky are building around what Reese can do, not boxing her in.
“She initiated some offense last game,” Marsh noted. “She had six or seven assists, no turnovers. That’s a glimpse of what she can be.”
Jeff Pagliocca: “More Floor Spacing, More Freedom”
Pagliocca echoed that sentiment, pointing to the roster additions that will make Reese’s expanded role even more effective.
“With more floor spacing this year, we’re going to see her operate more easily,” Pagliocca said. “She’s got the vision, the strength, and now the runway to play-make from different spots.”
Veterans like Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse, and Rebecca Allen help spread the floor with shooting and decision-making. That gives Reese—who led the league in offensive rebounds per game (5.1)—even more opportunities to create mismatches, reset possessions, and dictate tempo.
And with 2024 Rookie of the Year runner-up Kamilla Cardoso returning alongside Reese in the frontcourt, the Sky have a dynamic interior duo capable of switching roles fluidly.
From Proving Herself to Pushing Boundaries
Reese’s rookie year was historic: 28 straight games with 10+ rebounds, a Sky rookie record of 19 rebounds in a game, and a double-double machine who made the All-Star team and captured national attention.
But year two isn’t about proving she belongs. That box is already checked. Now it’s about expanding the boundaries of her game.
The Sky open their season Saturday, May 17, on the road against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, in a nationally televised matchup on ABC (3:00 PM ET). While the rivalry headlines will dominate the broadcast, Reese’s continued evolution may be the most crucial storyline.
The Sky isn’t just asking her to be a force—they’re asking her to be a fulcrum.
“We don’t want to limit her,” Marsh said. “She’s only getting started.”
For More Basketball News:
Follow Grant Afseth on Twitter at @GrantAfseth. You can also reach out to Grant Afseth via email ([email protected]). To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college, NBA, and WNBA news, click here!
