Angel Reese Traded to Atlanta Dream, Embracing Challenges to Regain Winning Form

Former Chicago Sky All-Star opens up about mental fortitude and social media pressures as she starts a new chapter in Atlanta

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:44am

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An abstract, energetic painting featuring a basketball player in motion, with vibrant neon colors and expressive brushstrokes conveying the determination and resilience of an athlete facing a new chapter in their career.A dynamic illustration capturing the emotional intensity and drive of a basketball player embracing the challenges of a new chapter in their career.Chicago Today

Angel Reese, a former Chicago Sky All-Star, has been traded to the Atlanta Dream, marking a significant shift in her professional basketball career. Reese's public discontent with the Sky's performance and her subsequent suspension led to this trade, which she sees as a chance to start anew. In her recent comments, Reese emphasizes the importance of self-belief, encouraging athletes to step into uncomfortable spaces and take 'scary steps' as a path to success.

Why it matters

Reese's journey from Maryland to LSU and now to Atlanta showcases how embracing challenges can lead to success in sports. Her candid remarks about the sacrifices athletes make, including 'lonely nights' and 'uncomfortable rooms,' offer a valuable lesson in the mental fortitude required to excel at the professional level. Additionally, Reese's reference to the impact of social media on athletes' public personas highlights a modern-day dilemma that many sports stars face.

The details

After a stellar performance at LSU, Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky, where she set records but also faced team struggles and personal injury. Her recent comments about 'lonely nights' and 'uncomfortable rooms' reflect the challenges she has overcome. The trade to the Atlanta Dream presents a unique opportunity for Reese to reshape her narrative and potentially lead the Dream to success in the upcoming WNBA season.

  • Reese was drafted by the Chicago Sky after her successful college career at LSU.
  • Reese was recently traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream.

The players

Angel Reese

A former Chicago Sky All-Star who has been traded to the Atlanta Dream, seeking to regain her winning form and overcome the challenges she has faced in her professional basketball career.

Chicago Sky

The WNBA team that drafted Angel Reese and with whom she faced team struggles and personal injury.

Atlanta Dream

The WNBA team that recently acquired Angel Reese in a trade, offering her a chance to start a new chapter in her career.

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What they’re saying

“I encourage everyone to step into uncomfortable spaces and take scary steps. That's where the growth happens.”

— Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream Player

What’s next

As the WNBA's 30th season approaches, the league is set for some exciting changes, and Reese's trade to the Atlanta Dream is just one piece of a larger puzzle. It will be interesting to see how Reese performs with her new team and whether she can help lead the Dream to success in the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Angel Reese's story is a compelling narrative of resilience and self-belief. Her journey from a championship winner to a traded star is a reminder that success is often found in the most uncomfortable of places. Reese's emphasis on mental fortitude and her candid remarks about the sacrifices athletes make offer valuable lessons for young athletes, highlighting the importance of adaptability and staying true to oneself in the face of adversity.