Angel Reese has been seen in public for the first time since she was traded by the Chicago Sky, with the WNBA superstar stepping out in New York City on Tuesday.
The forward, who has become one of Caitlin Clark’s biggest rivals through both college and the WNBA, did not appear to be fazed by the bombshell news, grinning as she posed outside a Victoria’s Secret event in Midtown Manhattan.
Reese’s first public appearance comes amid whispers that her old teammates with the Chicago Sky are delighted to see the back of her, as she instead heads to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028.
The Daily Mail has spoken to a source close to the team, who revealed: ‘Those in the organization of the Chicago Sky are so relieved that Angel is no longer on the team.
‘There has been so much apprehension between the team and her, and everyone is happy that they don’t have to deal with her various controversies, whether she brings it on herself or otherwise.
‘There is no love lost and when Angel returns for a game with her new team, she will be the enemy, but everyone with the Sky is very happy that she is gone.
Angel Reese has been spotted in New York City, hours after being traded by the Chicago Sky
It is understood that her old Sky teammates aren’t sad to see her leave for the Atlanta Dream
‘They were getting sick of her and to make this trade was very much needed for the health of the organization moving forward.’
On Tuesday, Reese stepped out of a black car outside The Victoria’s Secret flagship store at 640 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, smiling for photographers before entering the venue to launch her new campaign.
The 23-year-old is the face of the brand’s ‘Season of Strapless’ swim collection, and new photos dropped on Tuesday of her on the beach in Barbados during the offseason.
Just hours earlier, news had surfaced about her surprise trade to Atlanta, and she reacted on social media with delight.
‘An Angel’s DREAM,’ she wrote. ‘ATL WHAT UP?!’
Reese was launching her new Victoria’s Secret collection at the flagship store in Manhattan
WNBA star Reese was traded to the Atlanta Dream from the Chicago Sky just hours earlier
Reese had previously sparked outrage when she publicly criticized the Sky and threatened to quit the team last year, and will now play her third season in the WNBA with a new franchise.
‘I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization,’ she later added in a press release from the Dream.
‘I’m focused on continuing to grow my game, competing at the highest level, connecting with the fans, and giving everything I’ve got to the Dream.’
Reese was drafted by the Sky with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 Draft – the same class as former No. 1 pick and her longtime rival, Caitlin Clark – after leading LSU to the 2023 National Championship.
The two-time All-Star recorded 49 career double-doubles while averaging 14.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game throughout her first two seasons in the league with the Sky.
She also earned All-Rookie Team honors in 2024 after setting WNBA rookie records for rebounds per game (13.1) and consecutive double-doubles (15).
The 23-year-old was sent to the Dream in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028
Reese was drafted by the Sky in the 2024 Draft following rival and No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark
However, Reese fueled speculation that she could force her way out of the Windy City last September when she publicly voiced her fury at missing out on the WNBA playoffs.
She took aim at the Chicago Sky, vowing that she wouldn’t be ‘settling for the same s*** we did this year’ after the franchise failed to make the playoffs for a second straight year.
She fanned the flames when she later told the Chicago Tribune that she ‘might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me.’
Reese was hit with a suspension for the first half of a game by the team for her comments but didn’t return to the court for the remainder of the regular season.
