Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith Applauded by WNBA Fans in Sky's Preseason Win vs. Brazil

Angel Reese appears to be ready for the WNBA season.

The Chicago Sky star was in midseason form on Friday, putting up 15 points and 10 rebounds in a 89-62 win over the Brazilian national team during a preseason matchup.

Rookie Hailey Van Lith added seven points and five assists for Chicago off the bench, making a solid impact in the second half.

The Sky were always expected to handle business without much issue on Friday night, but fans were happy to see the former LSU duo handle business back in Baton Rouge at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center:

For Reese, it was certainly a welcome homecoming.

"I haven't been back since I graduated," she told reporters this week, "which is so crazy."

Van Lith, meanwhile transferred to TCU ahead of last season, bypassing the WNBA draft for one more year. The Sky then drafted her No. 11 overall, likely much higher than she would have gone had she declared a year earlier, all while reuniting her with Reese.

Expectations are high in Chicago. Reese, the double-double machine, returns for year two, as does Kamilla Cardoso. To fully unlock Cardoso, the Sky seem prepared to broaden Reese's role on the offensive end.

"Everywhere," new head coach Tyler Marsh told reporters when asked where he wants Reese to play from this season. "There is no limit. I think we want her to be dynamic. We want her to be able to score inside, want to be able to create space for her to have more one-on-one finishes inside and not have to feel like she's got to play in a crowd. We want to put the ball in her hands on the perimeter and allow her to facilitate and create off the dribble as well."

If she can handle that role, the Sky should be a much better team than the one that went 13-27 a year ago. Friday night was a positive start.