May 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) reacts during the first half agaisnt the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Liberty Standout Sends Strong Message on 'Very Aggressive' Angel Reese

Originally posted on Women's Fastbreak on SI
By Grant Young | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 8:47 PM ET

The Chicago Sky have not had the 2025 WNBA season that they were hoping for.

When Chicago's front office traded the No. 3 pick of the 2025 WNBA Draft (along with a 2027 first-round pick swap and a 2027 second-round pick) to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Ariel Atkina, it signalled that this team was trying to go all-in on winning this season.

This decision raised eyebrows as soon as it happened, given that, eve n with Atkins, many around the league didn't think Chicago's roster was nearly talented enough to compete for a WNBA championship.

And that trade has since aged like milk. Not only has Atkins not lived up to expectations this season and missed time with an injury, but the Mystics used that No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to select Sonia Citron, who was an All-Star this season and has cemented herself as one of the best guards in the league.

However, if there has been one bright spot for Chicago this season, it has been All-Star forward Angel Reese.

New York Liberty's Emma Meesseman Heaps Praise Upon Angel Reese

After a rough start to her second WNBA season, Reese has ultimately improved upon her record-breaking rookie campaign. Not only is she still the lea gue's best rebounder, but she has improved leaps and bounds with her playmaking for teammates, defense, and field goal percentage.

Not to mention the intangible assets she brings to the Sky, such as her intensity and energy on both else of the floor. This is something the Liberty's newly-signed European star Emma Meesseman pointed out about the 23-year-old during her appearance on an August 21 episode of the Good Follow show.

"I think she's a very aggressive player, and fighting for every single thing," Meesseman said of Reese on the show. "I think that's a talent, too. That it's almost given. You can practice that, of course, and it's a state of mind. But she's actually going for every single thing, no matter what the situation is. So I have a lot of respect for that.

"Having seen the game from outside, since she came in the league, I think she has to be a very strong person, to be able to handle every single thing," Meesseman continued of Reese. "I don't know if I would be able to, at that age, be able to withstand all that hate, almost. Negative comments. So the fact that she's still here, like for the love of the game, and everything, it says a lot about her."

“I don’t know if I would be able to, at that age, withstand all that hate… so the fact that she’s still here just for the love of the game... says a lot.”

Emma Meesseman gives Angel Reese her flowers - an exclusive from @rosgo21 at the Liberty shootaround ahead of @chicagosky… pic.twitter.com/Dy3RpHzWKu
— Good Follow (@GoodFollowShow) August 21, 2025