Angel Reese Under Fire: Chicago Sky Star Faces Backlash After Publicly Criticizing Teammates

The WNBA season was supposed to mark a fresh start for the Chicago Sky. With new facilities on the horizon and a roster featuring one of the league’s most polarizing young stars, Angel Reese, the franchise had hopes of stabilizing after years of turbulence. Instead, a storm erupted this week when Reese’s comments to the Chicago Tribune lit a fire that has quickly spread across the basketball world.

For many, the drama is not surprising. Reese has been known as a fierce competitor, unafraid of controversy and unwilling to filter her words. But this time, her direct public shots at her teammates and coach Tyler Marsh have left the locker room fractured, the front office scrambling, and her future in Chicago uncertain.

A History of Star Departures

To understand why Reese’s remarks are especially damaging, one must look at the Sky’s history. The franchise has long struggled to retain star players. Elena Delle Donne forced her way out years ago, Sylvia Fowles did the same, and even 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper eventually sought greener pastures. Marina Mabrey’s midseason trade last year also carried the stench of behind-the-scenes drama.

Chicago has been pegged by The Athletic’s anonymous players’ poll as the “worst-run franchise in the league.” That reputation was supposed to change with Reese — the flamboyant, self-branded “Bayou Barbie” who carried LSU to a national title before bringing her competitive fire to the WNBA. But instead of stability, her presence has reignited chaos.

The Explosive Comments

In her interview, Reese made it clear she had doubts about the direction of the Sky. While she offered the standard line that she would “like to be here for my career,” she also warned she might “have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me.”

From there, she went further — much further. Reese questioned whether the current roster had enough “great players” to compete. She specifically mentioned veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot, suggesting her age and recovery from an ACL tear made her unreliable.

That struck a nerve. Vandersloot is a two-time WNBA champion, a five-time All-Star, a seven-time assist leader, and second only to Sue Bird on the all-time assists leaderboard. Widely expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, she is a Chicago legend. Yet Reese dismissed her as potentially over the hill.

She also cast doubt on whether younger guards Rachel Banham and Hailey Van Lith could lead a playoff team. Ironically, Van Lith had transferred out of LSU during her college career in part to escape playing alongside Reese — only to be reunited with her in Chicago. To many observers, Reese’s critique of Van Lith was personal as well as professional.

Finally, she suggested coach Tyler Marsh needed to “coach the team harder,” putting her dissatisfaction with leadership squarely on record.

The Locker Room Reaction

According to Front Office Sports reporter Annie Constable, the reaction inside the Sky locker room has been explosive. Multiple players, particularly those named by Reese, were furious at what they saw as a direct betrayal. Several sources said a team meeting has already been scheduled where players plan to confront Reese face-to-face.

“It’s one thing to have private conversations about roster needs,” one league executive told FOS. “It’s another thing entirely to publicly torch your teammates. That’s unprecedented.”

The timing could not have been worse. Chicago has been trying to build chemistry around its young core, particularly Camila Cardoso, the 6’7” rookie center many believe could become the league’s most dominant big. But instead of complementing Cardoso, critics say Reese has been “drowning her out,” hogging attention and overshadowing her potential.

Media Firestorm

Reese’s words ignited a frenzy not just within the team but across sports media. Black and White Sports, a popular YouTube commentary channel, labeled her the “most selfish player in the league,” accusing her of being more focused on her brand than on winning.

“Angel Reese wants out of town because she thinks her teammates are straight trash,” the host said bluntly. “She drowned them publicly with her words. You can’t walk that back.”

Journalists like Christine Brennan and Annie Constable have also taken heat from Reese’s fans for reporting the story, with some claiming unfair treatment. But as Brennan noted, good reporting often makes waves.

The Apology That Fell Flat

Sensing the growing backlash, Reese attempted damage control. She released a statement saying she wasn’t frustrated with her teammates or the organization, but rather with herself. She insisted she never intended to put anyone down and apologized if her words had been taken the wrong way.

“I just have to be better with my language,” Reese said. “What I say can be taken any type of way, and I want to grow from this.”

But few are buying it. Critics point out her remarks were too specific, too direct, and too dismissive to be brushed off as a misunderstanding. “There’s no confusion,” one commentator said. “She didn’t get taken out of context. She really believes she’s the star and everyone else is holding her back.”

Executive Concerns

Beyond the locker room, Reese’s comments may damage her standing with other WNBA teams. Multiple executives told Front Office Sports they viewed her remarks as reckless and potentially toxic to team culture.

“On a championship-contending team, she would be the third or fourth option,” one executive said. “Her ego is much bigger than her actual role.”

That assessment cuts to the heart of the issue. Reese sees herself as the centerpiece of any franchise, but many insiders view her as a supporting character on a true title contender. On the Chicago Sky, that tension has boiled over into outright conflict.

Chicago’s Dilemma

For the Sky, the situation is perilous. On one hand, Reese brings star power, media attention, and fan engagement — all things the struggling franchise desperately needs. On the other hand, her presence now threatens team chemistry, coaching stability, and organizational credibility.

Coach Marsh, for his part, is trying to keep the peace. “We’re addressing it in-house,” he told reporters. “We want players who want to be here.”

But privately, sources suggest Marsh’s job could be in jeopardy if the situation worsens. Reese has already been labeled by some as a potential “coach killer,” and the front office may soon face a difficult choice: side with their controversial star or prioritize long-term culture over short-term popularity.

The Bigger Picture

In some ways, this saga reflects the growing pains of the WNBA itself. The league is expanding, attracting new fans, and generating unprecedented media buzz. Players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have brought college-level storylines into the pros, creating rivalries that energize the fanbase but also expose internal fractures.

Reese’s unapologetic style makes her a lightning rod. To her fans, she’s a fearless competitor unafraid to speak the truth. To her critics, she’s selfish, divisive, and more concerned with TikTok followers than box scores.

Whichever side you take, one fact is undeniable: the Chicago Sky are once again in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

What Happens Next?

The Sky plan to hold their internal meeting soon, but even if tempers cool temporarily, the long-term damage may already be done. Reese has opened a rift with teammates that may prove impossible to repair. If history is any guide, Chicago could once again lose a star under controversial circumstances.

The question is whether Reese leaves on her terms — demanding a trade or walking away in free agency — or whether the organization decides her presence is too disruptive to tolerate.

For now, one thing is clear: Angel Reese’s words have reshaped the future of the Chicago Sky. And as one veteran journalist put it, “She’s exactly who we thought she was.”