Angel Reese is finding a new level of accountability in Atlanta. Coach Karl Smesko already has big plans for the star forward as she looks to leave her Chicago tenure behind.

In a recent interview posted on X, Smesko made it blatantly clear what he expects from Reese going into next season.

“Angel’s gonna help us a lot more than I’m gonna help Angel, she’s such a talented player… I do think that you’ll see a lot of growth over this season, just by her attitude & willingness to work to get better.” Smesko said on MTMV Sports Network.

During free agency, the Chicago Sky sent Reese to the Atlanta Dream, who would have been happy knowing her chances of winning the WNBA title next season increased.

Smesko's first season in Atlanta made history as the franchise won thirty games in a single season for the first time and also finished first in the Eastern Conference.

With the addition of Reese and retained core players like Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Brionna Jones, and Jordin Canada, Smesko looks to have another go at it.

Day 2 of the training camp of the Dream rose further expectations among fans, as Reese has started to settle in with the rest of the squad.

"Continuing to get better every single day, that's what the coach talks about," Reese said. "Being uncomfortable in ways that you haven't been before. That's something that I'm not used to. So just being able to be coached and really pushed every single day to get better."

Reese is literally living the dream in Atlanta, as she recently implied that coaching was not up to the mark in her time with Chicago.

Angel Reese Wants to be Coached Harder than Ever Before

As WNBA training camps open, attention has shifted to the Atlanta Dream following Reese's arrival.

On her first day as part of the Dream, Reese revealed to the media that she is being coached in a different way than before, something not seen during her time with the Sky.

“Being coachable isn’t just about taking it, it’s about wanting it," Reese said from Dream training camp. "I really want to be coached, I want to be coached hard and be put in predicaments I am uncomfortable with to help me get better.”

Reese won only 23 games in her two seasons with Chicago and missed the playoffs both times. The former LSU star aims to prove her college success was only the beginning.

The Atlanta Dream now provides Reese a platform to be considered as serious title contenders, and prove that her desire to be "coached hard" can manifest itself in a run to the WNBA Finals.

So, do you think Reese and co. would be able to reach the mountaintop in the upcoming season?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Utsav Gupta