Angel Reese settles locker-room controversy with Chicago Sky ex-teammate

Angel Reese and Marina Mabrey were teammates on the Chicago Sky during the first half of the last WNBA season.

Angel Reese settles locker-room controversy with Chicago Sky ex-teammate

Marina Mabrey clears the air around jealousy towards former Chicago Sky teammate Angel Reese

In her rookie WNBA season, Angel Reese showed that she has the skills to be successful. The forward was one of the bright stars as the league grew at a faster than usual pace. However, all her record-breaking efforts could not steer her Chicago Sky to the playoffs.

The 22-year-old had ended her season early due to a wrist injury. However, that was towards the end of the miserable run the Sky endured after the season resumed from the Olympics break. They lost thirteen out of their sixteen games they played in that time eventually leading to a postseason snub.

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One of the prime reasons touted by analysts was the departure of scoring leader Marina Mabrey. At the time, it was alleged that the star had asked the Sky to facilitate a trade away from the team. A rumor that added on to the discourse was that Mabrey left as she was jealous of the media attention on Reese.

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Those rumors gathered steam when other Chicago Sky players shed tears during their exit interviews. Some suggested they were not happy with how their season played out. Whereas others suggested all that extra attention on Reese brought along massive negative attention.

As players selected to feature in the upstart Unrivaled League gathered in Miami, Angel Reese hit it off with her former teammate and they featured together on multiple TikTok videos. The Sky star was live earlier when apparently a fan asked if Mabrey left for the Connecticut Sun because of Reese.

No. I love Angel. The real ones know.

Marina Mabrey said
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They continued laughing about it and Reese then joined her veteran to throw a heart sign together. This interaction debunks the rumor that jealousy towards Angel Reese pushed Marina Mabrey to seek a trade out of the Chicago Sky.

Angel Reese and Sky set for tough rebuild under A’ja Wilson’s coach

After Marina Mabrey left the Chicago Sky, she left a massive void in terms of scoring. Chennedy Carter’s injuries added to those problems as the team did not have a solid scorer to lean on. Add on Angel Reese’s multiple misses in the restricted area and the team spiraled downwards.

Those second half performances saw first year head coach Teresa Weatherspoon lose her job. Incoming head coach Tyler Marsh has a reputation of developing A’ja Wilson and her All-Star teammates to become champions.

Marsh will be tasked to help turn around a team that showed so much promise last season. The team is likely to focus on building around Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Carter. However, they do need another scorer to join in via free agency.

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Now that her former teammate has dispelled notions that she left because of jealousy towards her rookie, free agents could find it enticing to sign with the Chicago Sky. However, prospective free agents are in short supply this season, which could push the franchise to address their needs through the draft.