Angel Reese Welcomed with Playful Teasing at Atlanta Dream Press Conference
Angel Reese's transition to the Atlanta Dream has begun with a humorous and slightly awkward initiation, as her new teammates used their first joint press conference to playfully roast the recent acquisition. Reese, who was traded from the Chicago Sky earlier this month, sat alongside Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Naz Hillmon as they took turns recounting competitive memories from facing her on the court.
Teammates Highlight Statistical Dominance and Annoying Traits
Rhyne Howard kicked off the lighthearted roasting by emphasizing her own impressive performances whenever matched up against Reese. 'Any time Angel's been on the other side of the court I think I had 30,' Howard noted with a smirk, eliciting laughter from the media in attendance. The critique did not stop there, as Naz Hillmon offered a more blunt assessment of Reese's playing style. 'Angel's annoying as hell,' Hillmon stated directly, adding to the jovial yet pointed atmosphere.
Allisha Gray contributed to the teasing by taking shots at the Chicago Sky's defensive capabilities from previous encounters. 'Last year, I loved playing against Chicago because I had my best games,' Gray added, twisting the knife regarding the Sky's struggles prior to the trade that brought Reese to Atlanta.
Reese Responds with Emotion and Gratitude
Despite the verbal jabs, Reese appeared to take the comments in stride during the press conference, laughing along with her teammates and the assembled journalists. Later in the event, she became emotional while describing the supportive environment she has found with the Dream. 'Being able to come to an organization that really cared about their players, just being able to see a GM that really wanted me and knew what my talents are,' Reese shared.
She continued, 'Being able to talk to players that genuinely know what I am and who I am as a person, but also as a player, is like a breath of fresh air. It lowkey makes me emotional because I haven't had this and I'm really grateful and I'm really looking forward to the start.' Reese expressed gratitude for her time with the Chicago Sky but noted that she ultimately 'wanted more,' leading to her move to Atlanta.
Background on Reese's WNBA Career
Angel Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, part of the same class as former No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark, her longtime rival. Reese rose to prominence after leading LSU to the 2023 National Championship. During her first two seasons with the Sky, she established herself as a dominant force, earning two All-Star selections and recording 49 career double-doubles while averaging 14.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game.
Her rookie season in 2024 was particularly impressive, as she set WNBA records for rebounds per game (13.1) and consecutive double-doubles (15), securing a spot on the All-Rookie Team. The press conference, which also featured teammates Brionna Jones and Jordin Canada holding up jerseys, marked a new chapter for Reese as she integrates into the Atlanta Dream's roster, aiming to build on her early career successes.
