Angel Reese 'Here to Hoop,' Talks Mindset with Dream After Blockbuster Trade from Sky

Angel Reese says she is ready to give "100 percent" for her new team as she prepares for her first season with the Atlanta Dream following a shocking trade from the Chicago Sky.

"Basketball is what got me here. I wouldn't be here without basketball. That's always going to be my priority," Reese said when asked about how she planned to balance her Dream career with off-court commitments including modeling and podcasting around the 28:00 mark of Friday's introductory press conference.

Reese continued, saying: "Anybody that knows me knows that I put my work first, and I'm going to put 100 percent into anything I do. I'm here to hoop. I'm a professional athlete, and I know how to take care of my business.

"Everything off the court is off the court. But when I come between the lines, it's about business, and I think everybody knows that."

An interview that occurred off the court seemingly took a toll on Reese's relationship with the Sky last season. The two-time WNBA All-Star was suspended for half a game last September after criticizing her former franchise when speaking with the Chicago Tribune's Julia Poe.

Eight months later, the Sky traded Reese to the Dream in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028.

The Dream will hope that split between Reese and the Sky will prove to be to their advantage. Reese will now get the chance to play alongside Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard in an offense known for operating at a fast pace and for leading the WNBA in rebounds last season.

Reese averaged 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds while mostly shooting within nine feet of the basket over two seasons during which the Sky never made it close to the playoffs.