After joining the Atlanta Dream, Angel Reese prepares to face her former team, the Chicago Sky, for the first time in a preseason game on April 29, 2026. Before the matchup, close friend and rival Paige Bueckers shared what it might be like for rivals going up against a player like Reese, who has grown from averaging 13.6 points per game as a rookie to 14.7 in her second season.

In a clip shared by @ar5source on X, Bueckers spoke about Angel Reese during a radio interview on the 105.3 The Fan YouTube channel, explaining what makes their matchups so unique.

"I love Angel as a competitor. We're great friends off the court as well. She just brings the best out of you," Paige Bueckers said.

Their connection goes beyond competition. The two went from intense college rivals to close friends off the court through Team USA, shared endorsements, and public appearances.

"She's a crap talker just like me," Bueckers added. "So to be able to have that fun aspect just to begin the season, it'll be really cool. Happy for her. I know she's happy in Atlanta."

During her first press conference with the Atlanta Dream, Angel Reese made it clear her goal is to win. Though her strong frontcourt efficiency over the past two seasons didn't lead to the Chicago Sky making the playoffs, attempting so with the Dream might not be a distant dream. The Karl Smesko-led team has been a consistent playoff contender in recent years.

"I watched them from afar last year, and that’s the reason why I wanted to come here, because I thought I can help them in ways and they can help me in ways," Reese said about her move to Atlanta.

Angel Reese may not be the most experienced in the locker room, but she carries herself like a leader, and a recent comment from a rookie teammate reinforces that.

Angel Reese earns praise from rookie teammate

During the Atlanta Dream training camp, rookie Indya Nivar shared how teammates like Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon have helped her adjust to her first season in the league.

"I feel like all of them have, Naz [Hillmon] and Angel [Reese] have been very vocal," Nivar said. "After every rep, they give feedback, which is very helpful, and then just been encouraging. Mistakes are going to happen, but you know they keep us in positive light to keep getting better every rep."

Naz Hillmon has been with the Atlanta Dream for four years, so guiding younger players comes naturally to her. Angel Reese, new to the team, could have hesitated to show her leadership skills, especially having experienced teammates like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Instead, she stepped up to help her rookie teammate.

Reese's chemistry with veterans like Howard is already showing, even in a playful way. Having said that, do you think facing the Chicago Sky will bring out a different level in Angel Reese during her first matchup against her former team?

Read more at She Got Game!

Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Yask Kotak