WNBA: New York Liberty at Chicago Sky Sky forward Angel Reese (5) looks on during the first half of a WNBA game against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

‘My biggest critic’: Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese sounds off before playing Caitlin Clark in opener

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated May 15, 2025 9:32 PM ET

The Chicago Sky are set to start a new chapter in Angel Reese’s second season in the WNBA. New head coach Tyler Marsh is creating a new offensive system to help Reese reach the potential that was untapped when she played at the post as a rookie.

The No. 7 pick in the 2024 draft is joined with Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse, and Ariel Atkins this season. The Sky will attempt to put the harsh taste of a 13-27 record behind them and compete for a playoff spot in September.

Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese sounds off before Indiana Fever game

The Sky are set to open their regular season against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Saturday at 2 p.m. CST on ABC. Reese has been compared to Clark since the 2023 national championship between LSU and Iowa, which the Tigers won.

Their rivalry spilled over to the WNBA in 2024, when Clark was selected with the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Per Mike Berman of NBC Chicago, Reese believes she had a “great” rookie season individually, especially when it came to rebounding, but would like to improve in other areas of her game. Despite the many criticisms she faces, Reese said she’s her biggest critic.

“I think I had a great season, but obviously I want to get better,” Reese said. “I’m probably my biggest critic. Nobody has to tell me anything I need to get better at – I’m my biggest person in the mirror, and I look myself in the mirror and say, ‘You can still be better.’

“And I think I’ve done a lot of great things – obviously my rookie year I set a lot of records, made some history, had fun at All-Star, did a lot of great things, but if you look back at the same things that were good yesterday, today things aren’t going to be as good. That’s something (LSU head coach) Kim (Mulkey) told me.”

Reese averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in 2024.

Chicago is expecting Reese to up her assists this season. She played point forward in the Sky’s preseason finale on Saturday against the Minnesota Lynx.

Winning is the biggest thing for Reese

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark pose for photos before the 2024 WNBA Draft. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

While Reese wants to expand her game, she wants to inflate the win column for Chicago.

“Winning is the biggest thing to me,” Reese said. “Individual accolades, everybody always asks, ‘What do you want to achieve this year, what do you want to achieve this year?’ I want to win. I want to make the playoffs.

“I’ve won at every level, and just being able to be here in this moment with this great team and this great organization, there’s no better time than now.”

Now starts Saturday, when she has a chance to show improvement from 2024 against Clark and the Fever.