Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky star forward and two-time WNBA All-Star, has publicly apologized to her teammates after earlier appearing to undermine several of them in comments that sparked controversy.
What triggered it
In a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune, Reese voiced frustration with the Sky’s disappointing season (only 10 wins out of 40 games), and hinted she might pursue a “different direction” if the team doesn’t improve.
She emphasized the need for “good” or even “great” players as a non-negotiable. She said she was “willing and wanting to play with the best” and called for a tougher coaching style from Tyler Marsh.
She also questioned whether veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot—recovering from an ACL injury—is still capable of leading the offense and implied that only she and center Kamilla Cardoso are sure to be part of the 2026 roster.
Backlash and apology
Her remarks were met with frustration in the locker room, prompting a team meeting to address the fallout.
Following the Sky’s 88–64 win over the Connecticut Sun, Reese spoke with reporters and clarified that her words had been misunderstood or taken out of context. She apologized directly to her teammates, stressing that she never intended to put them down, and acknowledged she needs to be more mindful of how her language comes across.
She admitted she was frustrated—not with her teammates—but with herself, and emphasized the difference between the message and the messenger.
Acknowledging growth
Despite the controversy, fans generally commended Reese for taking accountability and handling the situation transparently.
Her apology came on the heels of a standout performance—another double-double—reminding supporters of her on-court impact even in a tumultuous season.
Summary
| Issue | Response |
|---|---|
| Public criticism of teammates and coaching | Apologized, clarified she didn’t mean to disparage teammates |
| Questioned veteran leadership and roster composition | Walked back, emphasized need to choose words more carefully |
| Impact on team morale | Acknowledged, attempted to mend relations internally |
Reese’s situation serves as a reminder of how powerful words can be in the locker room and how leadership often involves navigating emotions and message carefully. Let me know if you’d like insights on how the Sky are managing locker room dynamics or broader reactions from the WNBA community.
