Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese walks to the bench during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) warms up before a WNBA basketball game between the Las Vegas Aces and the Chicago Sky Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese walks to the bench during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
CHICAGO (AP) 鈥 WNBA star Angel Reese will be on the Chicago Sky鈥檚 roster 鈥渦ntil I hear differently,鈥 general manager Jeff Pagliocca said Friday.
The Sky suspended Reese for the first half of a game last week for comments deemed 鈥渄etrimental to the team.鈥 She questioned the franchise’s talent in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Reese did not take the court for the Sky after the announcement. The team listed her as dealing with a back injury for its final three games, raising speculation about her long-term future in Chicago.
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鈥淎ngel is an ascending young talent in this league who鈥檚 had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago,鈥 Pagliocca said. 鈥淥bviously we went through what we did. I feel like we closed the chapter on it. She spoke to her teammates, she spoke publicly. We moved on as a team. She鈥檚 a special player. And I have good conversations with Angel daily, with her team daily. They鈥檙e constant, and they鈥檙e productive.鈥
The Sky (10-34) finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference this season. They went 1-13 without Reese, who led the league in rebounding (12.6 a game) and double-doubles (23). She led the team in scoring (14.7 points) and assists (3.7).
Chicago dealt with a rash of injuries, most notably losing point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a torn knee ligament seven games into the season.
Nonetheless, the Sky have struggled since drafting Reese seventh overall out of LSU in 2024. They have won 23 of 84 games. Reese told the Tribune the team has 鈥渢o get great players鈥 this offseason or else she might consider leaving.
Pagliocca, who has been a target for fan criticism, reiterated his commitment to getting it right and said more resources would be available this offseason than in previous years.
鈥淚鈥檓 appreciative that we have passionate fans that want to see winning,鈥 Pagliocca said. 鈥淲e feel the same. And I know I have full support from ownership. We have great conversations. There鈥檚 a lot of mutual respect there.鈥
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Pagliocca added that he has 鈥渁ll the respect in the world鈥 for first-year coach Tyler Marsh.
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