The Sky’s 2025 season ended with a bang — the suspension of star forward Angel Reese — and then an awkward silence. Reese and other key players skipped exit interviews, leaving fans holding their breath.
Would Reese add her name to the growing list of stars who have asked out of Chicago? Were the rumors true that her relationship with the organization was beyond repair?
During exit interviews, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca tried to stamp out that speculation, saying the team had “moved on” from the suspension. Still, the questions lingered.
Maybe fans can rest a little easier now.
Speaking from USA Basketball’s women’s national team December camp, where she was one of 17 invited players, Reese said she plans to return to Chicago for the 2026 WNBA season.
“I’m under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky,” Reese said. “I’m continuing to talk to [head coach] Tyler [Marsh] and building that relationship with [general manager] Jeff [Pagliocca] and Tyler.”
Reese’s response wasn’t gushing — nor did it need to be. But it was a clear positive: the Sky and their franchise player are humming the same tune, at least for now.
There was other good news from camp. Reese said her back injury is fully healed and that she was a full go on the first day.
The 2028 Olympics have long been a goal for Reese, and she said she liked being “coached hard” by national team coach Kara Lawson, currently the head coach at Duke University.
Lawson, who hadn’t worked with Reese before, was impressed with what she saw on Day 1.
“She’s great,” Lawson said. “Great personality, works hard in practice. Wants to be good, coachable — all the things you’d expect from a good young player.”
Reese was one of 10 players making her senior national team debut, a group that also included stars from the 2024 WNBA draft class such as Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Cameron Brink.
Should Reese make the cut, the next major competition on the calendar is the 2026 FIBA World Cup in September.