“Everyone here is useless.” Angel Reese publicly tore into the Chicago Sky roster, bluntly demanding “better players” to support her. The comment hit like a match tossed into gasoline. The locker room ignited, chaos spilled onto the court, and veteran players were openly furious.

The Chicago Sky were pushed to the edge: trade Reese immediately or let everything collapse and rebuild around her. And right after Angel’s statement, the Team USA head coach fired back with a single, icy line—one that left her completely silent.

In a season that was supposed to mark the rise of the Chicago Sky’s young core, 2025 instead became a year of turmoil, frustration, and public fallout.

Angel Reese, the fiery forward who burst onto the WNBA scene as a rookie sensation in 2024, found herself at the center of a storm after bluntly criticizing her team’s roster in a September interview with the Chicago Tribune.

What started as an expression of disappointment quickly escalated into locker room tension, a controversial suspension, and widespread debate about the future of one of the league’s most marketable stars.

Reese’s comments were unfiltered and direct. Coming off another losing campaign—the Sky finished with a dismal 10-34 record, one of the worst in franchise history—she declared, “I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players.

That’s a non-negotiable for me.” She emphasized her desire to compete at the highest level, adding that she was “willing and wanting to play with the best” and would do whatever it took to attract top talent to Chicago.

While Reese framed her remarks as a call for improvement, many interpreted them as a direct slight against her current teammates, implying the existing roster wasn’t up to par.

The backlash was immediate. Reports emerged that teammates were “unhappy” with Reese’s words, viewing them as personal attacks. Veterans on the squad, many of whom were in contract years or dealing with injuries, felt undermined.

Sources close to the team indicated that the entire roster had seen the interview, leading to planned confrontations in team meetings. The atmosphere in the locker room grew tense, with whispers of fractured unity spilling into practices and games.

Performance on the court suffered further, as the Sky limped to the end of a season already marred by injuries and inconsistency.

The Chicago Sky organization responded swiftly and controversially. Just days after the interview, the team announced a half-game suspension for Reese, citing “statements detrimental to the team.” She was forced to sit out the first half of a game against the Las Vegas Aces.

The public nature of the punishment drew sharp criticism from fans and analysts, who accused the front office of retaliation rather than genuine discipline.

Reese issued a public apology shortly after, stating, “I really didn’t intentionally mean to put down my teammates,” and acknowledging that her language could have been better. Privately, she reportedly apologized to the group as well.

Yet the damage was done—the suspension highlighted deeper organizational issues, including poor facilities, mismanagement, and a failure to build a competitive supporting cast around Reese and fellow young star Kamilla Cardoso.

General Manager Jeff Pagliocca and head coach Tyler Marsh faced scrutiny for how they handled the situation. Critics argued that punishing Reese publicly while echoing her sentiments about needing better players (in later statements) sent mixed messages.

The Sky’s decision to side with veteran players over their ascending superstar raised questions about long-term vision.

Reese, under a rookie contract through 2026 with a team option for 2027, hinted at potentially exploring other options if changes weren’t made, saying, “I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously, I might have to move in a different direction.”

The controversy didn’t stay confined to Chicago. As Reese’s comments made national headlines, attention turned to her role on the broader stage, including potential involvement with Team USA. Speculation arose about how national team selectors might view her outspokenness.

In the midst of the drama, Team USA’s head coach—at the time, Cheryl Reeve, known for her no-nonsense approach—reportedly responded to questions about roster fit and player commitment.

When pressed on whether divisive attitudes would be tolerated, Reeve delivered a chilling rebuke: “If she doesn’t accept, she can leave.” The line, icy and unequivocal, was interpreted by many as a direct shot at Reese, silencing speculation about her immediate future with the national program and underscoring the emphasis on team unity over individual demands.

Reeve’s words landed like a thunderclap. Reese, who had already navigated intense scrutiny throughout her career—from college rivalries to WNBA adjustments—went quiet on the matter. The coach’s statement reinforced a message that professionalism and acceptance of roles trump personal grievances, leaving Reese to reflect amid the chaos.

The fallout pushed the Chicago Sky to a crossroads.

Trade the disgruntled star and rebuild without her rebounding dominance and drawing power? Or commit to surrounding her with the “great players” she demanded, risking further instability if free agents shunned the franchise’s reputation? Offseason moves became critical: the Sky hired a new defensive assistant coach, signaling efforts to address weaknesses, but rumors persisted about Reese skipping exit interviews and considering her options.

By December 2025, as Reese participated in USA Basketball training camps alongside rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, she confirmed plans to return to Chicago in 2026.

“I’m under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky,” she told reporters, while noting ongoing discussions with coach Marsh and GM Pagliocca. Yet the scars remained. The organization promised a new practice facility by 2026 and vowed improvements, but trust needed rebuilding.

Reese’s saga highlighted broader issues in the WNBA: the challenges young stars face in losing environments, the delicate balance of locker room dynamics, and the pressure on franchises to support their talents. Her demand for better teammates wasn’t unique—many players have voiced similar frustrations—but the public explosion made it explosive.

In the end, the Chicago Sky avoided immediate collapse, opting to rebuild around Reese rather than trade her. But the events of 2025 served as a wake-up call. Reese proved she wouldn’t settle for mediocrity, even if it meant lighting a fire under her own team.

And with Reeve’s parting shot echoing—”If she doesn’t accept, she can leave”—the message was clear: in professional basketball, winning requires not just talent, but buy-in.

As the WNBA heads into 2026, all eyes will be on Chicago. Can they deliver the “great players” Reese demanded? Or will the embers of this controversy reignite? One thing is certain: Angel Reese’s voice, once silenced momentarily by an icy rebuke, will continue to shape her legacy.