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By Alex Kirschenbaum
Contributing Entertainment Writer
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Two-time All-Star Chicago Sky power forward Angel Reese's two pro seasons in town haven't gone exactly as well as she may have anticipated — from a team perspective, at least.
Chicago brought in Reese and center Kamilla Cardoso during the 2024 WNBA Draft. But that didn't stop the team from numbering among the dregs of the league last season.
Rather than use their subsequent No. 3 lottery pick to add more talent to the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Sky flipped the selection to the Washington Mystics for veteran shooting guard Ariel Atkins, plus their own second-rounder in 2027 and a 2027 first-round pick swap. Washington used that pick on Notre Dame wing Sonia Citron, who quickly became an All-Star during her rookie season.
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Per Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune, Reese has been suspended for the first half of a game against the mighty Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, for making "statements detrimental to the team."
"I'm not settling for the same s— we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That's non-negotiable to me," Reese told Poe in an incendiary Tuesday interview. "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."
Chicago announced the news of its suspension decision ahead of a Friday tilt against the Indiana Fever. Reese has already been ruled out for the Fever game after accumulating too many technical foul calls.
"The Chicago Sky values the safety, respect, and well-being of every player. We are committed to accountability so our players can stay focused on playing basketball," the Sky declared in their official team statement.
"This matter has been handled and resolved internally, and we are moving forward as a team," the Sky added.
Reese, 23, has once again enjoyed a solid individual season, averaging 14.7 points on 45.8 percent shooting from the floor and 75.6 percent shooting from the charity stripe, 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks a night, in her 30 available games.
Fans were decidedly mixed on the decision.
"Trade her to ATL," wrote NBA YouTuber Brett James.
Another fan clowned Chicago for its move, noting that Reese's criticisms of the team's roster building.
"Basically proving her point by doing this," joked @kinggike.
The Sky were called out for their second lottery-bound season, and the assets they sacrificed to make the Citron-for-Atkins trade happen.
"Pretty sure what Angel Reese was asking for was [organizational] accountability. You're 10-30," @The_foundersnet opined. "Obviously changes are necessary. Maybe the front office and executives should sit out the first half of the next game??"
Chicago has been struggling to forge an identity since the 2022 season, when its title defense ended with a semifinal loss to the Connecticut Sun.
Veteran All-Star free agents Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot both departed in free agency, as did power forward/center Azurá Stevens, while sharpshooter Allie Quigley stepped away for the 2023 season never to play again, officially retiring in 2025.
Longtime Sky head coach/general manager James Wade left midway through the 2023 season for an assistant coaching job on the Toronto Raptors. Chicago notched an 18-22 record and fell in the first round to the Aces. The team has missed the playoffs in each of Reese's two pro seasons.
"[What] about the detrimental statements made about [Angel] 'anonymously' from the organization?" @hey__taylor asked. "[Any] accountability [or] punishment for that?"
More news: Angel Reese Attempted to Recruit Top Team France Player, Was Shut Down
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