There is always something different about facing a former team for the first time. The emotions, the familiarity, the memories tied to a city and a locker room all come rushing back at once.
For Angel Reese, that moment carries even more weight. Her path through the WNBA has already included major expectations, a high-profile role, and now a fresh start with the Atlanta Dream. As the season approaches, the attention is not just on how she performs, but how she continues to evolve.
There is a sense that this next stretch of games could say a lot about where her game is heading and how she fits into a new system built around spacing, confidence, and opportunity. And with her first game against the Chicago Sky on the horizon, Reese made it clear she is embracing both the moment and the challenge that comes with it.
Reese Embracing Confidence From Teammates
Reese did not shy away from describing how her new environment has already impacted her mindset and approach.
“It’s been great. They put the pressure on me to take the shots,” she said. “I have been able to get better in the offseason. In a week and a half I can tell the difference in my shot.”
That confidence has not come from within alone. Reese pointed directly to her teammates for pushing her to expand her offensive game.
“Just being able to have teammates that are super confident in me,” she added. “They put me on the spot to take the shots. When I am in front of thousands of people it’s nothing, and it’s easy.”
Growth Beyond Rebounding Role
Reese has already established herself as one of the league’s most dominant rebounders, leading the WNBA in that category in each of the past two seasons. But this next step is about more than controlling the glass.
The Dream’s system is designed to create space, something Reese did not always have earlier in her career. That change is already showing up in her confidence as a scorer, particularly in situations where she is being encouraged to take shots rather than defer.
Her comments suggest a player who understands the expectations and is leaning into them rather than avoiding them.
A Familiar Return To Chicago
Beyond the basketball side, this game also brings a personal one for Reese. Chicago is not just another stop on the schedule.
“I’m just happy to be in this moment,” she said. “To come back to a familiar place. Feels great. I have a home here.”
Reese spoke openly about her connection to the city, calling it “an amazing place” and talking how comfortable she still feels there.
“It’s always great seeing Chicago,” she said. “It looks beautiful. I have a home here. I’m happy to be back.”
That combination of comfort and competition is what makes this matchup stand out.
Setting The Tone Early
For the Dream, adding Reese was about raising the ceiling. For Reese, it is about proving she can expand her game while still doing what made her successful.
This first meeting with the Sky will not define her season, but it does offer a view into what her role could become.
If her words are any indication, she is not just ready for the moment. She is expecting it.
