Angel Reese has reached the WNBA Finals with the Atlanta Dream, completing a three-game sweep of the New York Liberty in the semifinals on Friday. In a postgame news conference, Reese discussed a memorable training camp exercise that left her feeling "embarrassed" in front of her new teammates.
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During training camp, head coach Karl Smesko halted a drill and required Reese to make two consecutive 3-pointers before the team could continue. Reese expressed her frustration, recalling how she didn't want to let her teammates down. "I remember a moment in training camp where we were going through drills and he stopped everybody and told me I had to make two in a row in front of everybody," she said. "I was upset with him that day for sure."
Despite initial challenges with shooting, Reese's performance has shown marked improvement. She completed the semifinals with 22 points and nine rebounds, contributing significantly to the Dream’s 85-83 victory.
Reese has made significant strides since her rookie season in 2024, when she shot 39.1%. This season, she recorded a shooting percentage of 45.1%, although her three-point shooting remained a work in progress at 19.3%. She has performed better in the playoffs, making five of 13 attempts (38.5%).
Reese’s overall statistics have improved, as she averaged 16.4 points this season, led the league in rebounding, and earned her first Defensive Player of the Year award. The Dream, who completed a franchise-record 30-win season, advanced to the Finals despite losing key players to injuries.
The Finals are set to begin on October 17, where Reese will vie for her first WNBA championship with Atlanta. This opportunity comes after Reese was traded from Chicago to Atlanta in April, providing her with a chance to play on a competitive team. The Dream are now seeking their first title in franchise history.