Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Angel Reese found herself suspended this week by the Chicago Sky for its WNBA game against the Las Vegas Aces because of “statements detrimental to the team” after she publicly insulted her teammates. Reese would later apologize after a players-only meeting was called.
The 23-year-old Reese, in her second year in the WNBA, said her current teammates were not good enough for her and she all but ordered Sky management to do better. “We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me,” she told the Chicago Tribune.
“I am very vocal about what we need and what I want,” Reese added. “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 and do what’s best for me.”
Angel Reese’s comments came as a surprise to many of her teammates including Rachel Banham, Ariel Atkins, and Elizabeth Williams. Not even Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh had any idea that Reese had those types of concerns.
Sophie Cunningham weighs in on Angel Reese’s comments
On Tuesday during her Show Me Something podcast, injured Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham discussed Angel Reese’ comments. Needless to say, she didn’t agree with how Reese went about relaying her message.
“When you’re losing and it’s been a frustrating season, everyone is feeling those emotions. And when I say everyone, it’s not just her,” said Cunningham. “I’m sure her teammates feel it, her coaches feel it, the organization, the fans, like, literally everyone feels that. And there are just some things that you can’t say.
“And I think one of my biggest things is I’m a very team first person. I always put the team before my feelings and I think that should be a standard. So you got to protect your locker room. So you just can’t be saying everything you’re feeling, because that just is not a good look.
“And then your teammates feel a certain way and that causes division in the locker room. So it’s just protect your locker room at all costs. And I’m sure she regrets saying that, don’t get me wrong, but man, there’s just some things that everyone probably knows, but you just can’t say and you got to let the front office… you can have those conversations behind closed doors, but to say it in media, you know, is kind of brutal.”
Sophie Cunningham, who is very familiar with getting fined, added, “If anyone does that, you should get fined.”