DURHAM, N.C. -- Two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese said she plans on returning to the Chicago Sky after a rocky finish to her second season led to speculation she might have played her last game for the franchise.
"I'm under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky," Reese said on Friday from USA Basketball training camp. "[I'm] continuing to talk to [coach] Tyler [Marsh] and building that relationship with [general manager] Jeff [Pagliocca] and Tyler."
Last season Reese led the WNBA in rebounds per game (12.6) and double-doubles (23) while also pacing the Sky in scoring (14.7 points) and assists (3.7). But the relationship between her and the franchise -- which drafted her No. 7 overall in 2024 -- became strained after she made comments to the Chicago Tribune that the franchise deemed "detrimental to the team."
The former LSU star and national champion was suspended for the first half of their following game, an organizational decision that came from the top down, Marsh said at the time. She did not play in their final three games afterward, with the team listing her as out with a back injury.
The Sky went 1-13 on the season without Reese (10-34 overall) and missed the playoffs for the second straight year.
Reese's comments Friday echoed what Pagliocca said about the situation in mid-September: "Until I hear differently, that's the direction we're going to move, is that she's on the roster."
On a rookie-scale deal, Reese is under contract through 2026 with a team option for 2027.
Reese apologized publicly and privately to teammates after making comments to the Chicago Tribune in which she expressed concern over the Sky's point guard situation and indicated the team has to get great players this offseason or else she might consider moving on from it.
"Angel is an ascending young talent in this league who's had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago," Pagliocca said in September. "Obviously 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's a special player. And I have good conversations with Angel daily, with her team daily. They're constant, and they're productive."
Reese added Friday that she is fully recovered from her back injury that limited her to just 30 games in 2025. She is one of 10 players making their senior national team camp debuts this weekend at Duke, alongside the likes of fellow young stars Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers.
"It's something that you don't take for granted," Reese said. "I haven't done USA since I was in college, and then to be back here, to potentially be on the senior team, is really, really important to me. I've dreamed of playing for the Olympics and especially for L.A. because I want to represent this country well. I'm really excited to be here, and I'm really enjoying this moment."