The Chicago Sky’s season went from poor to worse in no time. With only a few noteworthy performances, the franchise lost its place in the playoff race. Angel Reese was their only shining star throughout the season and seemed frustrated by the team’s performance. Reese dropped a truth bomb on the conditions for leaving the team.
While it was a shock for many, her comments on teammates also attracted heavy criticism. Veteran guard Ariel Atkins gave her opinion on the 2024 rookie’s comments.
Ariel Atkins Reacts To Angel Reese’s Comments
The Chi-Town Barbie provided her views on the 2025 season and mentioned that the team needs improvement. While her words might have been taken differently, her intention was clear to see the team success along with her individual success.
The interview went viral with the possibility of the star player leaving the franchise, provided the front office doesn’t act on reinforcements. It also highlighted tensions within the locker room as many players voiced their dissatisfaction with the forward’s comments. Veteran guard Ariel Atkins was brutal about the comments though.
“It was simply out of respect for everybody in the room, one through 12. I think I just don’t really care. I’m so over all of this s—. If I was younger, it would have affected me more. But I’m grown, and I just don’t care,” Atkins said.
Angel Reese hints she could potentially leave the Chicago Sky if things don’t pan out in Chicago 😳
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 3, 2025
"I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. … However I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going… pic.twitter.com/MxxMV00Mer
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The 29-year-old averaged 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game, ranking in the top three for the franchise in all the stats. But she is not the only one distancing herself from the 23-year-old forward’s comments. The Reese did apologize for her comments though.
Chicago Sky Players React To Angel Reese’s Statement
The sentiment was all across the locker room. Analyst Jason Whitecomb even slammed Reese for calling out her teammates. Players used ‘soft’ language reacting to the former LSU star’s comments.
“It does affect me still because of what everybody is constantly saying about the rest of us. I never want any of my teammates to feel any type of way,” Rachel Banham told the media.
Elizabeth Williams went into detail and even advised the superstar to take cautious steps while making such comments. “She obviously doesn’t want to disrespect us or anything like that. Ultimately, I think the goal of [the interview] was just to share things she wanted to see in the future for the team and improvements that could be made. She has a big influence; whether she says something good or bad, people like to interpret it a certain way. I think she understands she just has to be mindful of the language she uses,” Williams reacted to the situation. HC Tyler Marsh tried to take both sides and highlighted that the player meant to focus on winning.