Angel Reese faces an awkward Atlanta Dream welcome as new teammates roast her after Chicago Sky trade (Image via Getty)
Angel Reese walked into her first press conference with the Atlanta Dream, and things got real very fast. Instead of a calm welcome, her new teammates turned it into a light but sharp roast.
It all happened just days after her trade from the Chicago Sky, making it one of her first big moments with the team. The room was full of smiles, but the comments had a bite. Reese sat there, listening as her teammates shared stories from past games when they faced her on the court. It wasn’t mean, but it was not easy either. Still, Reese handled it with a smile, showing she understood the moment and the mood.This comes at a time when Reese is starting a new chapter in her career.
After two strong seasons in Chicago, she is now trying to settle into a new team, new system, and new locker room.
Rhyne Howard , Allisha Gray , and Naz Hillmon tease Angel Reese while recalling Chicago Sky matchups
Rhyne Howard started things off. She looked relaxed and joked about her past games against Reese. “Any time Angel’s been on the other side of the court, I think I had 30,” Howard said, smiling. The room laughed, and the tone was set.Then came Naz Hillmon, who kept it very direct. “Angel’s annoying as hell,” she said.
It was blunt, but it sounded more like a player talking about a tough opponent than anything personal.
Allisha Gray added her own take. She said she enjoyed playing against Chicago because those were some of her best games. Her comment pointed at how the Sky struggled in those matchups, especially on defense.Through all this, Reese did not react badly. She laughed along, stayed calm, and did not try to push back. That moment showed she understood the team culture and was ready to fit in.But the mood changed later.When Reese spoke about joining Atlanta, her voice slowed down, and her emotions showed. “Being able to come to an organization that really cared about their players… it’s like a breath of fresh air,” she said. She also shared how much it meant to feel wanted and understood, both as a player and a person.She even admitted it made her emotional because she had not felt that kind of support before.Reese also spoke about her time in Chicago. She said she is grateful but also made it clear she “wanted more.” That simple line says a lot about why this move happened.Looking at her numbers, Reese has been one of the most active young players in the league. She averaged 14.0 points and 12.8 rebounds in her first two seasons. She also recorded 49 double-doubles and made the All-Rookie Team in 2024. Her rookie year included a record 13.1 rebounds per game and 15 straight double-doubles.Now, with Atlanta, she gets a fresh start. The welcome may have been a bit rough, but it also showed something important, her teammates already see her as one of them.
