Sky Coach Issues Big Angel Reese Demand Before Caitlin Clark Game

Reese, selected seventh overall by Chicago in the 2024 WNBA draft, showed plenty of promise in her rookie season. Much of her production came near the rim, where she cleaned up missed shots and made short jumpers. Reese won a national championship with coach Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers in 2023.

In 34 games last season, she averaged 13.6 points and led the WNBA in rebounds at 13.1 per game. However, her shooting percentages left room for improvement — just 18.8 percent from 3-point range and 39.1 percent from the field. The Sky are hoping she becomes more efficient offensively in 2025.

Cardoso, drafted third overall in the same class, wrapped up her college career with the South Carolina Gamecocks. She won two national titles — one in 2022 and another in 2024 — and was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 2024.

In 32 games as a rookie, Cardoso averaged 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds. Like Reese, she is still developing her scoring range outside the paint. She shot 52.1 percent from the field last season but did not attempt a 3-pointer.

Jeff Pagliocca has served as the Sky’s general manager since October 2023. Tyler Marsh enters his first season as head coach, bringing a strong resume to the role. Marsh played college basketball at UAB before beginning his coaching journey.

He worked as a player development coach with the Toronto Raptors from 2018 to 2020, then joined the Indiana Pacers as an assistant. In 2022, he moved to the Las Vegas Aces, where he helped lead the team to back-to-back WNBA championships. Chicago hired him in November 2024.

Now, Marsh and the Sky are looking to elevate their young core, starting with Saturday’s spotlight showdown against Clark and the Fever.

Chicago is at Indiana at 3 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon in the WNBA opener for both teams. The game will be televised on ABC.